(ANOKA) – Anoka County Commissioners voted to allow permits for food trucks at most county properties moving forward.
After a nearly-unanimous vote on Tuesday, the board will allow food trucks that are owned and registered in Anoka County only to apply to set up at places like county parks and some libraries. Not all county properties will apply because many share land and control with cities that may not allow food trucks currently. That is the case with Centennial Library, because the city of Circle Pines owns its parking lot (city hall is adjacent).
Still, county leaders wanted to streamline the process for allowing and encouraging county food truck operators to be able to set up.
“This action is being permissive, not restrictive,” said County Board of Commissioners Chair Scott Schulte. “We’re actually increasing their opportunities, not charging them a penny more to do so, allowing them to be rent-free on our property, sell their wares, whatever that might be.”
District 1 Commissioner Matt Look was the only one to vote against the measure, because he thinks food trucks may not be as popular once COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and shutdowns are over.
“I think we’re in a bubble right now,” said Look. “A lot of people don’t want to go to (brick-and-mortar) restaurants. They’re concerned about that, but they’ll set up in a parking lot and pick something up. I don’t know that’ll be what it’s become once this is over.”
