JACKSON, WY – The Jackson Town Council will consider today whether food trucks should be allowed within town limits.
Town rules do not specifically prohibit food trucks, but Jackson’s municipal code and land development regulations make such operations “likely unfeasible,” a staff report prepared for the meeting said.
The town has received a handful of inquiries about allowing mobile food units in the past. The most recent was during a December council meeting when Gabe Aufderheide, owner of Gourmet Mountain Dogs, asked during general public comment whether the town would look into allowing them.
The council will discuss the issue at a 3 p.m. workshop today at Town Hall.
Aufderheide operates his business during the summer only, catering events in and out of the valley. He and a business partner have a mobile unit outfitted for the job.
“We know that this is a topic that has a lot of room for growth if this is something that the town wants to consider,” Aufderheide said at the December meeting.
Mayor Mark Barron and other councilors had concerns that food trucks would compete with restaurants that have more significant overhead cost burdens. Food trucks, for example, don’t have to provide parking and connect to municipal water and sewer lines.
“It’s not a level playing field,” Barron said at the meeting.
Still, the council will discuss the issue at the meeting today.
Others have pointed out that larger cities recently have made moves to allow food trucks, which have rapidly grown in popularity.
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