Food Trucks Headed to Alexandria

Council is expected to consider a legislative proposal in June that would bring food trucks to the City of Alexandria.

“It’s a win-win for everybody,” said Rose Boyd, special assistant to the city manager, at a Friday morning small business event hosted by the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association at St. George Gallery in Old Town.

Boyd noted that the city is embarking on new initiatives to ensure Alexandria is small business-friendly and the acceptance of food trucks dovetails with those plans.

City staff put together the proposal to go before council, which asked for the plan during a recent retreat.

The trucks would be permitted anywhere through city limits 7 a.m. through 8 p.m. and allowed to park for up to four hours at a time in specific city locations:

1. Old Town — on King Street in front of King Street Gardens, by the courthouse, and the east side of the 100 block of Royal Street by City Hall.
2. Del Ray — Mount Vernon Avenue in front of the Department of Community and Human Services building.
3. Carlyle — by the atrium

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The trucks can park in any legal parking spot in the city, but only up to four hours in those locations.

A maximum of three food trucks will be allowed on one block at the same time, in a first-come, first-serve environment.

Restrictions include no parking in front of restaurants allowing outdoor dining, and no parking in any residential parking district unless a truck has been approved for a special permit or for a private event.

City staff is discussing how far a food truck must park from a restaurant with outdoor dining. Boyd noted that a truck’s fumes could irritate outdoor diners plus the city wants to ensure the food trucks would not take business away from established, fixed restaurants.

Additionally, a truck cannot park within two blocks of an event such as First Night Alexandria, which last year hosted its own food trucks. Council will discuss those recommendations upon the plan's review.

• See: First Night Gets Its First Food Trucks

Boyd said she has been closely watching the evolution of food trucks in Fairfax and Arlington counties as well as in Washington, D.C.

In response to an audience member question, Boyd said there will be structural standards for trucks but not visual standards.

“Part of their appeal is the funky look,” she said.

The trucks will be subject to certain Health Department requirements for food service.

Boyd said the trucks could fulfill several needs, such as recent requests for healthier food choices at youth sporting events.

They could be welcome at some sports events, including T.C. Williams games, she said.

An audience member identifying herself as normally being located near the Mark Center said food trucks would be most welcome in that area as there is a significant lack of dining choices there.

They have not yet worked out how to handle sales tax collection, Boyd said.

The trucks must be 10 feet high or less to accommodate the lights on King Street.

They will not be permitted to sell alcohol and the city’s police department will be charged with enforcing any parking infractions.