Chris Page owns PJ’s Grill Food Truck, and lives in Blaine. He says the old rules in his hometown were so restrictive, he’s only set up in Blaine a couple times in the last few years. Page says the new ordinance changes everything. “I can finally start reaching out to local businesses again,” said Page. “Being able to serve the public, being able to serve my community in the town where I live, that’s huge for me. That’s a really big deal. It’s very odd to have a business you can’t operate in your own city.” One problem was food trucks were considered transient merchants which put much of the city off limits. “That made it very restrictive for them because they were only permitted in industrial zoning districts,” said Blaine Community Development Director Erik Thorvig. “It made it challenging for somebody like Harley Davidson who had a customer appreciation event, who’s in a commercial district, to have a food truck. That was one of the main push-back items we heard from people wanting to operate a food truck, just how prohibitive our existing ordinance was.” Another challenge was the license that Blaine required when food trucks are already licensed by the state and the county. Now only an annual registration is required. The city wanted to make it easier. “It really has taken Blaine from one of the most restrictive food truck ordinances in the state to a model that I think any city in the state could copy,” said Page. The old rules were written before food trucks enjoyed the popularity they have now. “So as food trucks because more popular, it made sense for us to take a look at our ordinance and see where we can allow them in additional areas of the city to make them successful,” said Thorvig. It still doesn’t mean they can park anywhere and sell to the public. Erik Thorvig says they have to be tied to some type of event. “Well hopefully we see a lot of food truck activity in our community. I know there’s a lot of businesses that have events where they want to have a food truck to serve their employees, their customers, and people who have various parties in our city parks. We really hope that we can bring a new option for people to enjoy food in our community,” said Thorvig. Now Page hopes to establish his name and truck in the community where he lives. With the change in ordinance, planning for next year is underway.
BLAINE EASES FOOD TRUCK RESTRICTIONS
BLAINE – (Nov. 18, 2021) – Food truck operators are applauding a move by the City of Blaine to lift restrictions that they say made it difficult to operate there.