Calistoga’s city council designated three new operating locations for the city’s permitted mobile food vendors at the council meeting last Tuesday. At the same time, they also rescinded the previously approved location on Brannan Street, bringing the total to five potential spots for the three food trucks currently authorized to operate in town.
The changes will go into effect in approximately two months.
The council anticipated challenges with implementation when they first voted to allow food trucks in town last year, council member Lisa Gift said this week.
Two of the food truck vendors and business owners had submitted several requests for changes in where and how the food trucks operate, Gift said, adding, “In response, the council and city staff have diligently worked to address these concerns and accommodate all parties – a task that is not without its complexities.”
The Tacos La Fiesta, food truck located on Brannan Street, has been at the center of safety, traffic, and noise complaints due to the street’s size and location. However, these issues aren’t unique to Tacos La Fiesta; similar complaints have been raised about all food trucks since they were permitted late last year.
The mobile food vendor had been forced to relocate multiple times in the past year after its initial city-approved location was later deemed “inadequate” and “unfit” by city staff. Council took the concerns into account when approving the new locations: one spot in the Fairground parking lot, another adjacent location on the street by the main Fairgrounds entrance, and a third spot at Logvy Park by the main parking area.
At the meeting, the council agreed to allow El Taco Feliz to continue operating on Lake Street and Mi Cocina on Lower Washington. Tacos La Fiesta will continue operating on Brannan Street before it can relocate because council cannot proceed with moving the food truck to Logvy Park until the ordinance change is finalized, which will require two more council meetings, according to Gift.
The City Council also ordered the implementation of a lottery rotation system, allowing vendors to alternate between approved locations.
“Given that this timeline aligns closely with the permit renewal period for current food truck vendors, the lottery for the location change will be conducted at that time.,” Gift said. “Current vendors will have the first right of refusal on their permits.” Council and city staff have been working for months to identify locations where parking is sufficient, impact on brick-and-mortar businesses is minimal, and the food trucks can attract a solid customer base. These are all major concerns, despite the overall popularity of the three food trucks, which offer locals more diverse, and often more affordable, meal options.
“Food trucks give us all an option of where to eat,” a local resident told the council at the meeting. “There are only a few places in town that I like and that my wallet can afford.”
Steve Patel, who owns Stevenson Manor on Brannan Street where Tacos La Fiesta has operated, added, “We don’t want the food trucks to go away, but they need to find a better home.”
Calistoga Mayor, Donald Williams noted that concerns surrounding street safety, parking constraints and traffic were recurring and “well-pointed" themes.
After soliciting feedback from locals through his newsletter, Williams noted that the inclusion of the food trucks has been welcomed and respondents even expressed a desire for more food trucks.
Council and city staff also discussed potential enforcement of noise-reducing generators and the possibility of extending operating hours during the meeting, but no items were brought forward for motion or further debate by the council.
