CITY OF ORLANDO Friday,December19,2008

RE: Zoning Official's Interpretation Concerning Tent Sales and Open Air Markets (LDC2008-00275)

Colleagues:

It has come to my attention there is some confusion as to the zoning regulations concerning temporary tent sales and open air markets. These questions come up from time-to-time concerning the zoning approval of typical temporary auto sales, Christmas tree sales, fireworks sales, and lawn and garden sales, etc. in existing strip centers. The issue is also brought up when we are asked to approve road-side food vending carts (e.g. hotdog carts). To clarify the code I offer the following:

Open Air Markets - The Land Development Code defines an Open Air Market as:

Open Air Market: Any retailing use held in an open area or structure, whether periodically, occasionally or continuously, where one or more individual sellers offer goods or agricultural products for sale to the public. This term includes flea markets and fruit and vegetable stands, but does not include roadside agricultural stands.

The Code further includes Open Air Markets as an Intensive Retail in the following definition:

Retailing, Intensive: Any of the following types of retailing uses: • Open air markets. • Utility trailer rental. • Vehicle sales and rental. • Any similar retailing use.

This means that open air markets are limited to only the following zones that allow Intensive Retailing:

• MU-1, and MU-11T • MU-2, and MU-21T • AC-3, and AC-31T (Except in the l-Drive Special Plan) • IC, and ICIT • IG, and IGIT

and conditional uses in: • AC-1, and AC-11T • AC-2 and AC-21T • AC-3AIT

CITY OF ORLANDO· CITY PLANNING DIVISION 400 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE - 6TH FLOOR • PO Box 4990 • ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-4990

PHONE 407-246-2269 • FAX 407-246-2895 • http://www.cityoforlando.net

For properties zoned PO please contact the Zoning Official.

Temporary Uses - If these types of operations are temporary in nature, then the requirements for a temporary use must come into play. The Code defines a "Temporary Use" as:

Temporary Use or Activity: A use permitted for a fixed period of time not over six months in duration, with the intent to discontinue such use at the expiration of the time period.

The Code also regulates temporary uses with the following:

4N. TEMPORARY USE

Sec. 58.830. General Requirements.

In addition to any applicable Zoning District and Use Regulations of Figures 1--2, all Temporary Uses allowed under this Chapter, whether as a principal use or an accessory use, shall conform to the following standards. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25094)

Sec. 58.831. Use Restrictions.

The temporary use must be a use which would ordinarily be allowed as a permanent use or which because of its limited duration or because adjacent land is undeveloped or developing, would not have a detrimental impact on surrounding land uses. A temporary use shall conform to all standards and procedures of this Chapter which would ordinarily apply to the use in the zoning district in which it is located.

Duration. The temporary use shall be permitted for the shortest practicable time period. No temporary use shall be permitted for more than six months in any 12-month period, unless otherwise authorized by City Council.

Termination. At the end of the period for which the temporary use was permitted, the use shall be discontinued and all temporary structures involved shall be removed and all permanent structures involved shall not be used except as permitted in the district. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be a violation of this Chapter, subject to the enforcement procedures of Chapter 5.

Under the Temporary Use heading are our regulations of "tents." The code regulates tents with the following:

Sec. 58.833. Tents.

No tent shall be erected unless and until the applicant shall obtain zoning approval as provided in this Section.

Application and Submittal Requirements. In order to obtain zoning approval for the use of a tent, the applicant shall file with the Zoning Official or his designee, in writing, the following information:

(a) A completed tent assembly permit as required by Chapter 18 of the Code of the City of Orlando;

(b) Length of time the tent is proposed for use on the site;

(c) Written consent of the property owner to erect the tent;

(d) Unless otherwise waived by the Zoning Official, a fully dimensioned site plan showing the location of the proposed tent, all required on-site parking, and all improvements on the site.

Time Limits on Permits. In no event shall tents be permitted longer than seven consecutive days or a maximum of seven days in any six (6) month period unless otherwise waived by the Zoning Official.

The seven (7) day period shall be extended at the request of the applicant up to a maximum of thirty days for sale of merchandise associated with Christmas, Independence Day, or sporting events.

Location of Tent. A tent shall comply with the principal building setbacks for the district in which it is located and with other locational requirements of this Section.

Outdoor Display of Merchandise. No outdoor display of merchandise shall be permitted in connection with a tent except as permitted by this section, and any outdoor display of merchandise so permitted shall not be situated so as to block access to any required parking space.

Public Benefit Use. The Planning Official shall be authorized to allow tents as a temporary use on a Public Benefit Use site where he finds that the use of the tent does not substantially impact surrounding properties according to the following standards:

(a) Compatibility of times of activity;

(b) Compatibility of uses;

(c) Environmental effects on adjacent property; such as noise, vibration, air pollution, glare, and odor;

(d) Effect of outdoor lighting;

(e) Impact of signage;

(f) Impact of traffic.

The Planning Official may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards including, but not limited to, the following: restrict the time an activity may take place; establish special yard requirements; establish restraints to minimize such environment effects as noise,

vibration, air pollution, glare, and odor; designate the number and location of vehicle access points; limit the location and intensity of outdoor lighting or require its shielding; and, limit or otherwise designate the number, size, location, height, or lighting of signs. The determination of the Planning Official may be appealed to the Municipal Planning Board in accordance with Chapter 65, Part 2G.

Parking. No additional parking shall be required for a tent as a temporary accessory use on a commercial building site, however, the tent shall not be erected so as to block access to any required parking space.

Determination ­

Allowable Use - The first question is if the request is for an "open air market" and thus, limited to zones that allow Intensive Retail uses? If the request is not an open air market, then what use shall we consider it to be?

From the above, I have made the following determination concerning which use category they belong in:

Type of Use

Is this considered an "Open Air

Market" thus an Intensive Retail

Use"?

If not an "Open Air Market" what is it?

Required to meet all of the "Temporary

Use" requirements

(below)

Lawn and Garden Sales

"No" if in conjunction with a permanent

use that sells Lawn and garden supplies

- "Yes" if not.

Light Retail if in conjunction with a

permanent use that sells Lawn and

garden supplies.

Yes (outdoor storage is OK)

Fireworks, Christmas Trees, and Sporting Events

"No" Light Retail (also see Section 58.833)

Yes(also see Section 58.833)

Outdoor Food Vendors to include bar-B-Q stands, Hotdog Stands, sale of roasted peanuts, etc. for immediate consumption

"See Below"

See below

Temporary Non-Profit festivals or farmers Markets

"No" Light Retail Yes

Temporary Sale of Consumer Goods

"Yes" Yes

Type of Use

Is this considered an "Open Air

Market" thus an Intensive Retail

Use"?

If not an "Open Air Market" what is it?

Required to meet all of the "Temporary

Use" requirements

(below) (rugs, flowers, stuffed animals, art, etc.) For Profit Farmers Markets

"Yes" Yes

Roadside Produce stands

"No" Light Retail Yes

Temporary Vehicular Sales

"Yes" Yes

Garage Sales "No" See Sec 58. 5B(6). No

"On-Site" Non-Profit Semi-Annual Events to include the sale of food (Church Bazaar)

"No"

Any Zone used by the Non-Profit.

(unless amusement rides are included)

Yes (Expected large crowds

. may need a Chapter 18A

Permit)

"Off-Site" Non-Profit Semi-Annual Events to include the sale of food (Church Bazaar)

"Yes"

Yes (Expected large crowds may need a Chapter 18A

Permit) Any of the above requested to be

longer than 7-days in duration or more than one time for each 6­

months

Needs Zoning Official Sign-off

See Zoning Official

Sales within the Right of Way

See Section 54.27-1

Specific Requirements - Once we have determined if the use is a permitted use, we must then determine if our Code provides and specific requirements. If the use is determined to be a "Temporary Use" then the following must be observed:

1. Treat all Temporary Uses as if a "Tent Sale" • The tent section (Section 58.833) is located under the Temporary Use section of our code and regulates all temporary outdoor sales regardless as to whether or not a tent is used in the operation of the temporary business. Except for food vendors, all temporary uses must comply with this section. This requires the tents to comply with principal structure setbacks, limits the amount of outdoor display, and limits the duration of the event to 7 days unless approved otherwise by the Zoning Official. This section does allow for longer "seasonal" events like Christmas tree sales.

2. Vacant (undeveloped) Sites - A temporary use (7 days or less) may be conducted on undeveloped sites providing our Permitting Division ensure the vehicular ingress and egress is considered safe and efficient.

3. Developed Sites - Temporary Sales may not overwhelm the existing parking of a developed site. As a rule of thumb, if the temporary sale is occupying more than 10% of the existing parking, the 20 shall sign off on the permits or BTR.

4. Outdoor Display - Except for auto, RV, and boat sales, no display of merchandise unless under the tent.

5. Traffic Circulation - Please contact the Permitting Division if you believe the specific location of the outdoor sales will interfere with normal traffic circulation or create a safety hazard.

6. Other Regulations - All other typical zoning requirements (such as setbacks for the tent, Business License Receipts, etc.) shall be met.

Food Vendors - Food vendors are broken into the following four categories:

a) Peddlers - These are the construction site vendors and ice cream trucks that travel from site to site and do not stay in one place for more than 30 minutes. These peddlers only need a Business Tax Receipt.

b) Temporary Food Vendors - All temporary Food Vendors on private property that will be only on site for 7 days or less in one 6-month period must comply with all of the Specific Requirements identified above (setbacks, taking up parking or landscaping space, etc.). Temporary Food Vending shall be considered "Light Retailing" for zoning purposes. All improvements must be removed within 7 days.

c) Long Term Food Vendors I Removable Carts - All food vendors that desire to locate on a site for more than 7 days in a 6-month time period but will remove the food cart and any associated equipment at the end of each day must comply with the above and be located in a zone that allows for "Intensive Retailing" and must provide a site plan showing:

• That the location of the Vendor's cart complies with the principal structure setbacks of the zoning district and is not within a required parking space or landscaping or buffer area,

• Adequate parking is available for both the principal use as well as employees and patrons of the food vendor, and

• Proper pedestrian and vehicular circulation is provided.

d) Long Term Food Vendors I Permanent Carts- In addition to the above requirements, Long Term Food Vendors (more than 7-day during a 6-month time period) who desire to maintain their carts, stands, or other associated equipment on the site over night must be zoned on a parcel that allows for "Intensive Retailing" and must provide a site plan showing:

• Adequate sanitary facilities are available for both the patrons of the food vendor as well as the employees, and

• Provides proper landscaping and buffering that has a reasonable chance to be survive.

• Pay all appropriate Impact Fees.

e) Miscellaneous Food Vending Requirements

• The Zoning Official must approve the site plan for all permanent food vending.

• To prevent traffic circulation issues, only one Food Vendor may be allowed on a parcel unless approved by the Zoning Official. . . .

• Permanent food vendors in Special Plan Areas or the Traditional City must receive an Appearance Review.

Citrus Bowl, Fairground, Centroplex Special Events - Outdoor vending shall be allowed in these areas during special events with the permission of the Manager of the venue.

Sign~~Lr-~~------------------------Mark Cechman, AICP, Zoning Official

Dean Grandin, Jr., AICP, Planning Official

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CrrY oF ORLANDo April 23, 2008

RE: Zoning Official Interpretation Auto Sales as a Temporary Use- LDC2008-00113

Colleagues:

Occasionally, the City is petitioned for permission to operate temporary outdoor auto sales. These sales typically occur on vacant lots or on parking lots accessory to an established commercial use. With regard to temporary uses, applicable City codes state:

•

•

Sec. 58.831. Use Restrictions . The temporary use must be a use which would ordinarily be allowed as a permanent use or which because of its limited duration or because adjacent land is undeveloped or developing, would not have a detrimental impact on surrounding land uses. A temporary use shall conform to all standards and procedures of this Chapter which would ordinarily apply to the use in the zoning district in which it is located.

Sec. 58.833. Tents . . .. Time Limits on Permits. In no event shall tents be permitted longer than seven consecutive days or a maximum of seven days in any six (6) month period unless otherwise waived by the Zoning Official ... . . . Outdoor Display of Merchandise. No outdoor display of merchandise shall be permitted in connection with a tent except as permitted by this section, and any outdoor display of merchandise so permitted shall not be situated so as to block access to any required parking space ...

Outdoor auto sales are considered an Intensive Retail use. As such, whether temporary or permanent, they may have a detrimental impact on surrounding land uses and the underlined section of 58.831 above shall control.

CITY PLANNING DIVISION • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

CITY OF ORLANDO • 400 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE • PO BOX 4990 • ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-4990 PHONE 407-246-2269 • FAX 407-246-2895 • http://www.cityoforlando.net

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CITY OF ORLANDO Interpretation-From the above, auto sales· may be conducted outdoors as a temporary use, provided:

• Intensive Retail is a permitted use in the zoning district in which the sale is to occur • The applicant submits a site plan showing the proposed auto sales location, existing parking, and

parking calculations indicating the number of spaces required for the existing use and any excess number of spaces.

• The use complies with all other applicable requirements of Chapter 58, Part 4N, including limits on duration.

Signed:

Mark Cechman, AICP, Zoning Official

Concurred:

Dean Grandin, AICP, Planning Director

CITY PLANNING DIVISION • ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

CITY OF ORLANDO • 400 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE ~ PO BOX 4990 • ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32802-4990 PHONE 407-246-2269 • FAX 407-246-2895 • http://www.cityoforlando.net

MET-AC

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Print date: 7/16/2008 8 55 ' : :03AM

Live Search Maps Page 1 of 1

For the best possible print results, click the printer icon on the Live Search Maps page.

Location result for

. 6600 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819-8220

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http://maps.live.com/ 7116/2008

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Hi Mark,

"The Orlando Hot Dog Company" <orlandohotdogs @gmail.com >

07/12/2008 01 :32 PM

To zoningofficial@cityoforlando.net

cc

bee

Subject hot dog carts on i-drive

Thanks for the call. Simply put, where, how, and under what conditions can we deploy a fully licensed, inspected, insured hot dog carts on i-drive, that is also prepared to name the city of orlando as an additional on our policy?

The Orlando Hot Dog Company, a division of The Advisory Group, Inc. "We put more meat between the buns"

Address: The AG Building Suite 3 1308 North Pine Hills Road Orlando, Florida 32808-4832

Telephone: 407.459.4821 Fax: 407.915.4252

email: orlandohotdogs@gmail.com On The Web: www.orlandohotdogs.net

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James A Burnett/PND/EDV /Orlando

07/15/2008 01:15PM

To Mark A Cechman/PND/EDV/Orlando@Orlando

cc

bee

Subject Re: Fw: hot dog carts on i-drive~

I combed the I-Drive special plan and did not see anything that denied the ability to have mobile hot dog vending carts as an accessory use. Most of the focus in the 1-Drive area is on ticket booths.

Jim Burnett, AICP- Planner Ill Economic Development Department Planning Division Land Development Studio City of Orlando 400 S. OrangeAvenue, 6th Floor POBox4990 Orlando, FL 32802-4990 407.246.3609, FAX 407.246.2895 James.Bumett@cityoforlando.net

Working with the Community to Create Orlandds Tomorrow .... Today ... Through·the Economic Development Department Business Development, City Planning, Real Estate, Permitting Services, Code Enforcement, Downtown Development Board and the · Community Redevelopment Agency. Check out our website!! http://www.cityoforlando.neUeconomic

Florida has a very broad public records law. As a result, any written communication created or received by City of Orlando officials and employees will be made available to the public and mediCI upon request, unless otherwise exempt Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact our office by phone or in writing.

Mark A Cechman/PND/EDV/Orlando

Mark A Cechman /PND/EDV /Orlando

07/15/2008 12:00 PM

To Karl M Wielecki/PND/EDV/Orlando@Orlando, James A Burnett/PND/EDV/Orlando@Orlando, Mike Rhodes/ENF/EDV/Orlando@Orlando

cc

Subject Fw: hot dog carts on i-drive

Karl/ Jim -Would this comply with the I Drive Special Plan???

Mike- Would there be any reason why we would not let hirn do this on private property??

Mark Cechman, AJCf- Chief Planner/ Zoning Official / LE.ED Af

E_conomiC:: Development Department F!anning Division

Land Development Studio

Cit!) of Orlando •

+OO S. Orange Avenue, 6 Floor

f0l)ox+990

Orlando, FL 72802-4-990

+oJ.2+6.20J8, FAX +oJ.2+6.2895

Mark.cechman@cityoforlando.net

The City has developed a very comprehensive and easy to use web site that can provide a wealth of information concerning zoning issues

to indude:

Zoning and future [ and Use Maps

Zoning Reference Guide

Or the entire Code of Ordinances.

Working with the Communit.!J to Create Orlando's TomOJrow. ... Toda3 .... Through the Economic Development Department: /3usiness

Development_ Cit.!J F/anning, /?cal Estate, jcnnitting 5ervices, Code Enforcement, Downtown Devclof'ment /3oard and the

Community /?cdevclopment Agcnc!}. Check out our website!! www.citqoforlando.net/economic Florida has a very broad public records

law. As a result, an3 written communication created or received b3 Cit.!J of Orlando officials and empfo3ees wi/1 be made available to the

pu.b/ic and media, upon re9uest, unless otherwise exempt. {jndcr F/otida law, email addresses are pub/ic records. /f3ou do not want 3our

e:mail address released in response to a pu.bkc re:cords rc9uest, do not se:nd electronic mad to this omce. /nstead_ contact our office b3

phone or in writing.

) -----Forwarded by Mark A Cechman/PND/EDV/Orlando on 07/15/2008 11:59 AM-----

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Hi Mark,

"The Orlando Hot Dog Company" <orlandohotdogs @gmail.com >

07/14/2008 12:50 PM

To Mark.Cechman@cityoforlando.net

cc theaggroup@gmail.com, "Gillian Nanton" <nantonaginc@aol.com>

Subject Re: hot dog carts on i-drive

we are currently looking at a private site on !-Drive, that used to house between the buns, pre 9/11. the location is 6600 international drive and its actually sidewalk space, with no ingress egress challenges as it is tucked between the ticket and cell phone booth. please advise. i have attached a photo. the spot market "X" is actuall 0 feet deep by 7 feet wide. please advise, the realtor is waiting for us to say yea or nay, based on your response.

On Man, Jul14, 2008 at 8:57AM, <Mark.Cechman@citvoforlando.net> wrote:

Thanks for the email Keith . Your question on hot -dog carts on 1-Drive will take a few days to research. Below is the code section concerning hot dog carts (and such) on City right-of-way below.

()

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Can I assume your carts will be on private property ??? If so, will they be in existing parking lots?

Sec. 54.27-1. Selling on Public Rights-of-Way. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit or attempt to solicit employment or business, or exhibit for sale, offer for sale or sell any service, merchandise object, food or drink either from, in or on public roads, streets, medians or safety zones or, while located on a City sidewalk or adjacent road right-of-way, to solicit or attempt to solicit employment or business, or sell, offer for sale or sell any service, merchandise object, food or drink to any person in any vehicle in the adjacent City, County or State roadways. If a public road or street has been closed pursuant to Section 39.08(17) of this Code, such sales or solicitations maybe permitted upon specific approval of the City Council. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit for sale, offer for sale or sell any service, merchandise object, food or drink on or from any other public right of way, unless: (a) Such person is operating within and pursuant to a current franchise or concession agreement with the City for such sales at such location, (b) Such person received specific approval for such sales from the proper governmental authority if the right-of-way is owned by a governmental agency other that the City of Orlando, (c) Such person is operating a transportation service otherwise permitted by this Code or State law, (d) Such sales are otherwise expressly permitted on public rights-of-way by this Code and all conditions, permits, licenses, and regulations applicable thereto have been met or obtained, (e) Such sales fall within a recognized, constitutionally guaranteed exercise of the freedom of religion, speech, or the press, or, (f) Such sales received specific City Council approval. Non-commercial solicitations are governed by Section 51.06 of this Code. Sales on other public property are governed by Section 43.85 of this Code. (Ord. of 4-5-1982, Doc. #16903; Ord. of 12-4-1995, Doc. #28945)

Mark Cechman, AJCF- Chief flanner /Zoning Official / LE.E.D Af

E_conomic Development Department ]Ianning Division

Land Development Studio

C;b:l of Orlando

• 400 5- Orange Avenue, 6 Floor

f05ox4-990

Orlando, FL )2802-4-990

407.2+6.207 8, FAX +o7.H6.2895

Mark.cechman@cityofor!ando.net

)

The Cit_y has developed a ver_y comprehensive and eas_y to use we_b site that can provide a wealth of information concemingzoning

issues to indude:

Zoning and future l and {jse Maps

Zoning Reference Guide

Or the entire Code of Ordinances.

Working with the Communi"t!J to C~atc Orlando's Tomorrow. ... Tada3 .... Through the Economic Development Department:

/3usfness Development, Cit.!J /Ianning, /?ea/ Estate, J:ermitting 5crviccs, Code Enforamcnt, Downtown Devefopmcntf5oard and

the Communit:!J 1\cdevcfopmcnt Agenc3. Check out our website!! www.citqoforlando.net/cconomic Florida has a vc'Y broad pubkc

records law. As a result; an3 written communication create_d or received h3 C'f;!;J of Orlando ol!icia/s and empfo!Jccs will he made

available to the public and media, upon rcc/uest_ unless otherwise: e;xe:mpt. ljnde:r /lorida law, email addresses arc public records. /f3ou

do not want 3our em ad address released in response: to a pubhC records re:1ue:st; do not send electronic mail to this omce:. /nstead,

contact our office b3 phone or in writing

''The Orlando Hot Dog Company" <orlandohotdogs®gmail.com>

07/12/2008 01:32PM

Hi Mark,

To zoninqofficial@citvoforlando.net

cc Subject hot dog carts on i~drive

Thanks for the call. Simply put, where, how, and under what conditions can we deploy a fully licensed, inspected, insured hot dog carts on i-drive, that is also prepared to name the city of orlando as an additional on our policy?

The Orlando Hot Dog Company, a division of The Advisory Group, Inc. "We put more meat between the buns"

Address:

n The AG Building Suite 3 1308 North Pine Hills Road Orlando, Florida 32808-4832

Telephone: 407.459.4821 Fax: 407.915.4252

email: orlandohotdogs@gmail.com On The Web: www.orlandohotdogs.net

The Orlando Hot Dog Company, a division of The Advisory Group, Inc. "We put more meat between the buns"

Address: The AG Building

, \ Suite 3 ) 1308 North Pine Hills Road

Orlando, Florida 32808-4832

,)

Telephone: 407.459.4821 Fax: 407.459.4821

email: orlandohotdogs@gmail.com On The Web: www.orlandohotdogs.net

6600 idrivespol.jpg

GLIMPSE

Beyond Hot Dogs Some cities want their street food to take on new flavors.

"THAT'S MY FAVORITE," says Demetrius Thompson, as he dishes out a bowl of green chicken curry and rice. Thompson, a young guy with dreadlocks pulled back under a baseball cap, mans a sidewalk food cart on a busy corner of downtown Washington, D.C. His menu includes Asian fu­sion items, such as a Japanese edamame salad with mush · rooms. But it's the chicken curry that's the most popular. Thompson piles a plate high with plump rice, chargrilled

·cken and fresh vegetables has eggplant and red pep·

pers. He ladles on sweet, creamy coconut milk and carefully sprinkles on some spicy green herbs. "1 have a delicious Moroccan mint tea that would go great with that," he offers. "You've really got to try it."

This is s treet food? Well, it's starting to be. In many places

around the country, food-cart options are exploding as vendors branch out and offer new fare. American cities have never had quite the street-food culture that urban cen· ters in Europe, Asia and Africa do. But some sidewalks in the United States are starting to look like a global buffet-with vendors selling everything from crepes and kebabs to vegan burgers and Korean Bi Bim Bop. Street food today means a whole lot more than hot dogs and pretzels.

Nowhere is that shift more evident right now than in D.C. The District recently lifted a nearly to-year moratorium on new food· cart permits in a concetted effort to divers ifY the city's sidewalk fare. The ban had taken a culinary toll. Of the 200 licensed street·

r"r. od vendors in the District, only three n't sell hot dogs or smoked sausages.

68 AUGUST 2008 GOVERNING

All that began to change a year and a half ago, when the city lifted the ban. At the same time, Washington conducted a smvey asking residents for their opinions about street-food options. Overwhelmingly, re· spondents said they wanted more choices. And 84 percent wanted to see more ethnic foods. ''There was this huge public outcry for different types of food," says Sam Miller, the city's vending coordinator. "For a city with such a huge international population, our street food was not very diverse." The city hosted to outreach sessions designed to help vendors branch out, including one meeting titled, "You Don' t Have to Sell Hot Dogs." The effort is slowly making a differ­ence. The city has authorized dozens of new carts since lifting the ban, and many of them offer new options such as shawarma or barbecue or empanadas.

Other cities are getting in on the interna· tiona! act. too. Seattle is looking at expand· ing its street-food rules, which currently limit vendors to hot dogs, coffee and flow· ers. Just last month, Portland, Oregon , re· leased a study, called "Food Cartology," that

recommended encou raging new vendors to open carts in the city. Grand Rapids, Michi­gan, is debating a new regula· tion system to site food ven· dors and encourage more di· verse options. Even New York City, which certainly has the United States' most robust street-food culture, isn't set­tling for the current menu. Under the city's new Green Carts program, New York will issue t ,ooo new licenses to mobile vendors who agree to sell fresh produce in under­setved neighborhoods.

Not every locality seems to want such a multicultural sidewalk smor­gasbord. Several. in fact, have curbed or banned food carts in recent years. Los An· geles County, for example, recently passed a measure requiring mobile food vendors to change location every hour. Many brick­and-mortar restaurants object to allowing food carts to set up shop right outside their door. And many people believe sidewalk carts-and the foot-traffic they invite-are a nuisance. "There's always going to be people who think these carts are just in the way and dirty," says Kelly Wi lliams at the Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit urban planning and design organization. Diverse food vendors, Williams says, bring life to a city and help create a sense of place. "They add something to the city that would really be missed if they suddenly disappeared."

For Jay Fowler, the executive director of the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, the prospect of new kinds of sidewalk carts is exciting. ''I'd love to see a Middle Eastern food vendor. I don't eat hot dogs, but I do eat falafel." -Zach Patton