Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment No. 5 as proposed by the Planning Board for the Hampton Zoning Ordinance as follows? Amend Article III – Use Regulations. Add New Section 3.49 to establish regulations for mobile food service vendors on private property. The use would be expressly limited to special events that have received approval for a specified date(s) from the Board of Selectmen. The use would also be limited to licensed vehicles and trailers with mobile kitchens and to portable carts. The use would be permitted in the RAA, RA, RB, B, I, and G zoning districts. Amend Article II – Districts. Section 2.7 (Professional Office / Residential District), and Sections 2.8 C & 2.8 F (Town Center District – Historic, North, and South) to permit mobile food service vendors on private property in accordance with Section 3.49. Also, Amend Article XI – Construction Provisions, Section 11.5 to provide an exception to the requirement of a permanent foundation if the provisions of Section 3.49 are met.
What it means: Currently, food trucks are not permitted in Town. This new ordinance would allow them, in certain Zones (Districts) only. The use is for special events only, meaning on specific dates not for regular operation, and would require approval by the Board of Selectmen.
Those in favor say: By virtue of the fact that Food Trucks are not specifically allowed in Hampton, they are prohibited. This Ordinance would allow for Food Trucks under certain conditions. The Zones that were excluded (Seasonal Districts) were deemed to be less safe due to smaller lot sizes, and the density of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in those areas.
Those opposed say: Excluding certain Districts seems discriminatory, especially since (according to statements made at Deliberative Session) the Town will allow Food Trucks in those same areas during events that it sponsors. Disallowing Food Trucks on private property, even when all insurance and licensing requirements are in place, seems unfair and unreasonable. According to those who do not want this to pass, the ordinance as written does not treat all taxpayers equally. (Those in favor of the Ordinance retort that many of our ordinances distinguish based on District – otherwise, there would be no need for a Zoning Map – all sections of Town would be treated the same.)