Planning and Zoning paves way for food trucks

Earlier this year, the Sedona Parks and Recreation Department hosted its first-ever food truck festival, which proved to be a big success.

As a result of a Planning and Zoning Commission vote on Tuesday, Dec. 5, it now paves the way to see more of these popular food service vehicles around town. 

Momo’s Korean Cuisine owner Sung Dae Jang was requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow for the placement and operation of a food trailer in the parking lot between Sacajawea Plaza and Jordan Road in Uptown.

The property has frontage on both State Route 89A and Jordan Road, with vehicular access from Jordan Road. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the request but approved the CUP for three years as opposed to the five years recommended by staff.

They felt since this was a new endeavor for Sedona, the shorter duration was best. Despite the approval, commis- sioners expressed concerns including parking, transporting of the food from their Cottonwood location to Sedona and deliveries to restock the trailer.

“That’s a popular parking lot,” Chairman Marty Mosoff said. “If we take one or two spaces away it’s a major impact on the community.”

And while Momo’s is an actual trailer, this does open the door for food trucks — which have become very popular across the country — to apply for a CUP. As part of the development proposal, the following will apply:

  • The food trailer and customer queueing area would occupy approximately 360 square feet of space in the existing parking lot. The applicant is not proposing any seating areas.
  • Building permits for parking lot modifications and new electrical lines are required. These modifications are required to meet building code regulations, including ADA requirements.
  • The proposed hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Mondays with a major holiday. [No opening date for the business was provided.]
  • The food trailer does not contain a commercial kitchen. The applicant will use an off-site location for food preparation.
  • If the business were to leave, parking spots used for the trailer will return to public parking.
  • The trailer will not be permanently connected to any utilities.
  • Electricity will be supplied from the Sacajawea building.
  • There are storage tanks within the trailer that will be used for water storage and disposal.

Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795 ext. 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com