Hispanic food truck owners in League City are raising alarms over a recent ordinance restricting food trucks to special events and designated parks. The new rules have led to accusations of discrimination, as many local food trucks serving Mexican cuisine feel unfairly targeted by the regulations.
Owners of food trucks in League City, particularly those who operate Hispanic cuisine enterprises, are apprehensive about a recently enacted ordinance by the City Council. The Council voted 6-2 on September 23 to restrict food trucks to designated food truck parks or special events, thereby effectively prohibiting their operation on private property, such as filling stations.
Taqueria Los Charros, renowned for its gorditas and street tacos, is one of the food carts impacted. Maria Gutierrez, the proprietor, regards the ordinance as discriminatory, citing that most food trucks in the city are operated by Hispanic entrepreneurs and serve Mexican cuisine. She stated, "It appears to be directed." In contrast, Mayor Nick Long declared that the modifications were not intended to discriminate against the type of cuisine served.
Council members Tom Crews and Chad Tressler expressed their apprehensions regarding the ordinance's detrimental effects on small businesses. Crews observed that the new regulations inflict an excessive amount of restrictions, which could potentially adversely affect the livelihood of food truck operators.
The League City Planning and Zoning Commission had previously recommended the alterations, contending that they were essential for urban planning and safety. Nevertheless, the ongoing discussion regarding whether the new regulations have a disproportionate impact on Hispanic food truck operators underscores the broader issues of equity in local business regulations.
