Proposed Raleigh rezoning changes permit areas for food trucks
RALEIGH N.C. (WTVD) -- Food trucks might not pop up in the same areas you're used to seeing them if the proposed Raleigh rezoning plan goes through.
The proposed Unified Development Ordinance expands the amount of area food trucks would be allowed by more than 1000 acres. However, some are upset over the changes in mixed-use areas those trucks would operate in.
Click here to see a map of the proposed changes.
The map shows new areas that food trucks could operate and the areas trucks would have to vacate if the ordinance passes.
A petition circulating online by non-profit group Generation Opportunity calls on the Raleigh City Council to allow food trucks on all mixed-use properties throughout the city.
View the Petition by clicking here.
"Food trucks have become a staple of Raleigh's character and an integral component of the city's community," said Alex Johnson, North Carolina field director for Generation Opportunity.
"With over 1400 petition signatures, Generation Opportunity has led the effort to bring the voice of not only the food truck owners, but also their customers, to the Raleigh City Council," Johnson added. "They provide an alternative to traditional restaurants as well as a new way for small businesses to earn a living and create jobs in our community."
Ray Chow is one of those small business owners. He's the owner of Raleigh food truck Hibachi Xpress and a catering service called Catering by Ray.
Chow said he used to operate several Hibachi Xpress brick and mortar stores. When the economy took a turn during the recession, he closed up shop and took his cooking on the road.
"Any kind of rezoning efforts that actually eliminates physical areas where food trucks were part, actually takes away opportunities from us," Chow said. "And the majority of the food truck owners, this is our job. This is our livelihood. This is our bread and butter. This is what we survive on."
He says limiting areas in which food trucks might be permitted diminishes the purposes of the rezoning effort.
"Think about the overall goal that everyone is trying to achieve: trying to achieve a greater Raleigh, a greater downtown, a lot more growth, foot traffic," Chow said. "People got to eat. That's where food trucks come into play significantly."
