Alabaster City Council Updates Food Truck Ordinance and Transportation Plan
On August 11, the Alabaster City Council held a meeting where significant changes were announced. Among these was a public hearing set for September 8 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss updates to the food truck ordinance first established in 2016.
Jamie Cole, the councilperson for Ward 5, noted, “This will be almost ten years since any updates were made.” The council encourages the community to participate in the hearing and share their thoughts.
Key changes in the proposed amendment include:
- The application fee for food trucks will rise to $200, but local restaurants can apply for just $25.
- Food trucks will be allowed to stay in one location for up to six hours.
- Active hours for most mobile food vendors will extend from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Traveling food vendors can operate between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
City attorney Jeff Brumlow stated, “We researched various cities’ ordinances, and ours still stands out as one of the best.” These updates aim to modernize regulations to match current standards.
In addition to the food truck discussions, the council adopted the 2026 transportation plan for city road projects. Following the Rebuild Alabama Act from 2019, Alabaster has been able to collect an additional tax on fuel for road improvements. For the upcoming fiscal year, the city plans to invest around $250,000 in paving repairs.
Other agenda items included:
- Approving the pre-zoning of land at 224 Jaybird Lane for residential development.
- A resolution recognizing Jamia Alexander-James as elected for City Council Ward 6.
- Agreements for economic development incentives for a QuikTrip gas station and a new hotel in Alabaster.
As interest in food trucks continues to grow, the council’s updates reflect changes in consumer desires and economic opportunities. Many cities are seeing a similar trend, as food trucks became a popular dining option during the pandemic and continue to thrive.
Stay informed about local developments and share your opinions at the upcoming public hearing. Your voice matters!
For further details on local government initiatives, check out Alabaster’s official website.