Agenda packet, study session — Coachella City Council, November 6, 2024

City Council Chamber
1515 6th Street, Coachella, California
(760) 398-3502  www.coachella.org
AGENDA

OF A STUDY SESSION
OF THE

CITY OF COACHELLA

PLANNING COMMISSION
November 06, 2024
5:00 PM
In-Person Meeting
Location:

City Council Chamber
1515 6th Street,
Coachella, CA
If you would like to attend the meeting via Zoom, here is the link:
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Coachella will hold a study session on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, commencing at 5:00 PM, or as soon thereafter as is possible, in the City Council Chamber, 1515 6th Street Coachella, California Said study session shall be for the purpose of discussing the following:

INFORMATIONAL:

1. Healthy Food Truck Permit Pilot Program
[Note: Study Sessions are special meetings of the Planning Commission that are conducted informally.

No action is contemplated other than familiarization of the Planning Commission on specific topics and potential referral to a future agenda.]
Complete Agenda Packets are available for public inspection at the City Clerk’s Office at 53-462 Enterprise Way, Coachella, California, and on the City’s website www.coachella.org.

THIS MEETING IS ACCESSIBLE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 1 STAFF REPORT
11/6/2024
TO: Planning Commission Chair and Commissioners
FROM: Gabriel Perez, Development Services Director
SUBJECT: Healthy Food Truck Permit Pilot Program
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the Planning Commission review and discuss the proposed Healthy Food Truck Permit Pilot Program.

BACKGROUND:

On March 13, 2024 the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1209 establishing sidewalk vending regulations in compliance with SB 946. The requirements of the Riverside County Environmental Health have been challenging for sidewalk vendors to obtain a County health permit and the City currently does not allow mobile food trucks without a special event permit. The City recently sponsored the Coachella Container Park on Grapefruit Boulevard, which is a private enterprise and a City approved location for sidewalk vendors and food trucks. The Healthy Food Truck Permit Pilot program would allow a limited number of mobile food trucks subject to incorporating healthy menu items as encouraged in the City of Coachella General Plan Community Health and Wellness Element. The program will further enhance economic opportunities by creating unique and healthy culinary experiences in the Coachella Downtown and at existing date farms.

DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:

The Healthy Food Truck Pilot Program would allow mobile food trucks as a 4-year pilot program subject to menu and operational requirements in City parks, in the Downtown (DT-PV) Transit Zone, and on active date farms. The City is working with the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Nutrition and Health Promotion Branch in order to develop criteria for a certified healthy food truck. The efforts would also compliment the Coachella Blue Zones initiative with the aim of improving health outcomes and longevity for Coachella residents. The program requirements are outlined below:

City Parks
 2 food trucks maximum stationed around Dateland Park, Bagdouma Park, and Rancho Las Flores Park
 1 food truck maximum at De Oro Park, Sierra Vista Park  1 food truck at City of Coachella Civic Center and Corporate Yard 2 Item 1.
 Operating Hours – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
 Administrative approval
DT-PV Zoned parcels located around Coachella Veterans’ Memorial Park. These parcels are largely occupied with existing single-family homes and allow the property owner the flexibility to operate a food business. There are 19 eligible parcels.  1 food truck per lot or more than 1 food truck on lots or sites larger than 11,500 sq. ft.  Operate entirely on the property in the front yard and on-site consumption with tables and chairs would be permitted
 Operating Hours – 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
 Administrative approval
Date Farms
 1 food truck per lot with a minimum 1-acre size that must be an active date farm with a minimum of 50 date palm trees
 Requires a minimum of 1 signature food offering with date ingredients or offer of the direct sale of date fruits
 On-site parking
 Requires activity areas
 Allows accessory retail pop-up businesses
 Operating Hours – 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
 Planning Commission approval as a non-hearing item
Staff requests that the Planning Commission review and discuss the proposed amendments.

Attachments:

1. Healthy Food Truck Permit Ordinance - City Park and Downton Transition Zone

2. Healthy Food Truck Permit Ordinance – Date Farms
3 Item 1.

Ordinance No. ___________

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

COACHELLA ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR

HEALTHY FOOD TRUCK PERMITS AT CERTAIN CITY

PARKS AND DOWNTOWN TRANSITION (TR-PV) ZONED

PROPERTIES DIRECTLY SURROUNDING COACHELLA
VETERANS’ MEMORIAL PARK
SECTION 1. Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a pilot program for healthy food truck permits on Downtown Transition (DT-PV) District zoned private properties surrounding Coachella Veterans’ Memorial Park and at other City of Coachella parks, with the goal of providing accessible, nutritious food options for residents and visitors, in accordance with the American Heart Association’s nutritional standards. The program shall be temporary, lasting for a period of four (4) years. Healthy food trucks in the Downtown Transition District are intended to encourage establishment of long-term brick and mortar businesses on the same property.

SECTION 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:

1. "Mobile food truck" means a licensed, motorized vehicle, including any legally attached trailer, used in conjunction with the service of a commissary, or other permanent food facility upon which prepackaged or approved non-prepackaged food is sold, offered for sale or otherwise distributed as retail.

2. “Healthy Food Truck” A mobile food truck that provides a menu where at least 50% of food and beverage items meet the nutritional standards set forth by the American Heart Association (AHA).

SECTION 3. Eligibility for Healthy Food Truck Permit
To qualify for a permit under this ordinance, a food truck must meet the following criteria:

1. Menu Requirements: At least 50% of the food and beverage items offered must meet the American Heart Association’s nutritional standards, which include:
o Limitations on saturated fat, trans fats, sodium, and added sugars. o Emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.

2. Location Requirements: A permit for a mobile food truck shall not be approved unless the following are met:
o A maximum of one (1) mobile food truck on an individual developed lot surrounding Veteran’s Memorial Park in the Downtown Transition Zoning District and more than one mobile food truck on lots or sites greater than 11,500 square feet. Properties with existing residences are permitted to locate a food truck along 4 Item 1.
the frontage of the property and subject to plot plan review by the Development Services Department.
o No more than two (2) mobile food trucks are allowed stationed around a public park at a minimum of 50 feet from street intersections (Dateland Park, Bagdouma Park, Rancho Las Flores Park).
o No more than one (1) mobile food truck is allowed stationed around De Oro Park, Sierra Vista Park, or Library Park at a minimum of 50 feet from street intersections
o No more than one (1) mobile food truck is allowed stationed at the City of Coachella Civic Center or Corporate Yard.

3. Compliance and Verification: Food truck operators must submit a detailed menu with nutritional information to the City of Coachella for approval by the Riverside University Health System (RUHS) Nutrition and Health Promotion Branch prior to receiving a permit.

RUHS will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with these standards throughout the permit period.

SECTION 4. Operational requirements.

A mobile food truck shall comply with the following:

1. Area maintenance. The lot in the Downtown Transition Zone used by the mobile food truck shall be kept free of any debris or trash. Mobile food trucks at parks shall maintain a 20 foot radius kept free of any debris or trash.

2. No onsite consumption area. Except for shade covers or awnings that provide shade for customers waiting for food for a mobile food truck at City parks, no tables or chairs shall be placed on the lot.

3. Amplified sound. No loudspeaker systems, or other device(s) designed to amplify sound are allowed on the lot or associated with the mobile food truck.

4. Signage. All signage shall comply with chapter 17.56, sign regulations of this title.

Additionally, air flyers and sign twirlers are prohibited on the Lot.

5. Lights. All temporary outdoor lighting shall be shielded or downward facing.

6. Location safety.

1. Mobile food trucks shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from any fire hydrant, utility box or vault, public right of way, emergency vehicle route, internal drive aisle, tree canopy or pedestrian pathway.

2. Mobile food trucks shall not operate within a five-foot radius of another mobile food truck.

3. Mobile food trucks shall not otherwise be located within any area of the lot that obstructs pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

7. No alcohol or sale of controlled substances. The sale or soliciting the sale of any alcoholic beverages or controlled substances from a mobile food truck is strictly prohibited.

8. Waste disposal.

1. No mobile food truck shall cause or dispose of oil, grease, or waste on the lot. 5 Item 1.

2. Wastewater generated on-site shall not be released on-site or into the storm drainage system.

10. Parking. Overnight parking or storage of the mobile food truck at a park is prohibited.

11. Display of permit. A mobile food truck shall possess and at all times display in clear view a certified copy of its current environmental health decal and grade card issued by the department of environmental health and approved healthy food truck permit.

12. Trash receptacles.

1. At least one visible trash receptacle for use by customers shall be placed within twenty (20) feet of the mobile food truck operation.

2. Unless the property owner has provided for a permitted dumpster, all trash receptacles shall be removed once the mobile food truck operation has ceased each day.

13. Restrooms. In accordance with Section 114315 of the California Retail Food Code, mobile food trucks stopped to conduct business for more than one hour, shall operate within two hundred (200) feet of an approved, readily available and functioning restroom facility. If the restroom is within a business, the mobile food truck operator must submit with the plot plan application, written permission from the business owner providing the hours the restroom facilities are being made available for use by the food service workers. Executive portable toilet facilities with handwashing stations may satisfy this requirement.

14. Federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Mobile food trucks shall comply with all other applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

SECTION 5. Permit Duration and Renewal

1. Permit Duration: Permits issued under this pilot program shall be valid for one (1) year, with an option to renew annually for the duration of the four (4)-year pilot program, subject to compliance with the terms of this ordinance.

2. Temporary Nature: The pilot program will expire at the end of four (4) years from the date this ordinance takes effect. No new permits will be issued after the expiration of the pilot program unless the City Council takes action to extend or modify the program.

3. Hours of Operation: Food trucks in the Downtown Transition zone are limited to operating evenings commencing at 5 p.m. and concluding at 12 a.m. Food trucks operating in qualifying parks are limited to operating evenings commencing at 5 p.m. and concluding at 10 p.m.

SECTION 6. Approval Requirements
The planning director shall approve a healthy food truck permit if all of the following are met:

1. The mobile food truck operation complies with the requirements set forth in this article; 6 Item 1.

2. Written consent from the lot owner allowing the mobile food truck to operate on the lot has been provided to the planning director;

3. An environmental health permit has been issued for the mobile food truck by the department of environmental health;

4. Inspection of the mobile food truck has been completed by the county fire marshal; and

5. There is no pending code enforcement action on the lot.

SECTION 7. Fee Schedule
A non-refundable application fee of [$XXX] shall be required for the processing of healthy food truck permits. Additionally, an annual permit fee of [$XXX] shall be assessed for each participating food truck.

SECTION 8. Revocation of Permit
The City reserves the right to revoke a food truck’s permit for failure to comply with the provisions of this ordinance, including failure to maintain the required percentage of healthy menu items or operating outside of designated private properties.

SECTION 8. Severability
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the ordinance.

SECTION 9. Effective Date
This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption and remain in effect for the duration of the four-year pilot program unless otherwise amended or repealed.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this [Insert Date], by the City Council of Coachella. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evaluation of Pilot Program

1. The City’s Planning Division shall prepare an annual report on the effectiveness of the pilot program, including:
o The number of permits issued.
o Compliance rates with the AHA nutritional standards.
o Public feedback and participation rates.

2. A final report shall be submitted to the City Council at the conclusion of the four (4)-year period with recommendations for extending, modifying, or concluding the program. 7 Item 1.

Ordinance No. ___________

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

COACHELLA ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM FOR

HEALTHY FOOD TRUCK PERMITS AT ACTIVE

COACHELLA DATE FARMS
SECTION 1. Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a pilot program for healthy food truck permits at active date farms zoned with the goal of providing accessible, nutritious food options for residents and visitors in areas that lack food service location, in accordance with the American Heart Association’s nutritional standards, and celebrating the agricultural heritage of the City of Coachella. The program shall be temporary, lasting for a period of four (4) years. The healthy food trucks in the date farms are intended to encourage establishment of long-term food service and visitor opportunities on the same property.

SECTION 2. Definitions
For the purposes of this ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:

2. “Healthy Food Truck” A mobile food truck that provides a menu where at least 50% of food and beverage items meet the nutritional standards set forth by the American Heart Association (AHA).

SECTION 3. Eligibility for Healthy Food Truck Permit
To qualify for a permit under this ordinance, a food truck must meet the following criteria:

The menu shall offer a minimum of one (1) signature food offering with date ingredients or offer the direct sale of date fruits.

2. Location Requirements: A permit for a mobile food truck shall not be approved unless the following are met:
8 Item 1.
o A maximum of one (1) mobile food truck on a parcel one (1) acre or greater that is under active date farm production with a minimum of 50 live date palm trees subject to plot plan review by the Development Services Department.

RUHS will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with these standards throughout the permit period.

SECTION 4. Operational requirements.

A mobile food truck shall comply with the following:

1. Area maintenance. The lot used by the mobile food truck shall be kept free of any debris or trash.

2. Onsite consumption area. Tables and chairs may be placed on individual lots subject to plot plan review.

3. Amplified sound. No loudspeaker systems, or other device(s) designed to amplify sound are allowed on the lot or associated with the mobile food truck.

4. Signage. All signage shall comply with chapter 17.56, sign regulations of this title.

Additionally, air flyers and sign twirlers are prohibited on the Lot.

5. Lights. All temporary outdoor lighting shall be shielded or downward facing.

6. Location safety.

2. Mobile food trucks shall not operate within a five-foot radius of another mobile food truck.

3. Mobile food trucks shall not otherwise be located within any area of the lot that obstructs pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

7. Alcohol sales. The sale or soliciting the sale of any alcoholic beverages may be permitted subject to a Conditional Use Permit and Alcohol Beverage Control license associated with the serving of food in scheduled farm to table experiences.

8. Waste disposal.

1. No mobile food truck shall cause or dispose of oil, grease, or waste on the lot.

2. Wastewater generated on-site shall not be released on-site or into the storm drainage system.

9. Parking. Adequate on-site parking shall be provided and illustrated on a plot plan with driveways for ingress and egress and adequate dust control measures. In-lieu of impervious surface improvements the applicant may propose compacted decomposed granite or other permeable surfaces subject to a maintenance program approved by the City Engineer. 9 Item 1.

10. Display of permit. A mobile food truck shall possess and at all times display in clear view a certified copy of its current environmental health decal and grade card issued by the department of environmental health and approved healthy food truck permit.

11. Trash receptacles.

1. At least one visible trash receptacle for use by customers shall be placed within twenty (20) feet of the mobile food truck operation.

2. Unless the property owner has provided for a permitted dumpster, all trash receptacles shall be removed once the mobile food truck operation has ceased each day.

14. Accessory Retail Pop-Ups. The applicant may be permitted to include accessory retail popup businesses in designated areas of the mobile food truck plot plan and subject to a City business license.

15. Activity Areas. The applicant shall include a minimum of one (1) activity areas (examples:
cornhole, horsehoes, Giant Jenga). Organized activities such as group crafts, group work outs or yoga may be permitted and shall be described in the application.

14. Federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Mobile food trucks shall comply with all other applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

SECTION 5. Permit Duration and Renewal

3. Hours of Operation: Mobile food trucks operating on a date farm are limited to operating at 7 a.m. and concluding at 10 p.m.

SECTION 6. Approval Requirements
The Planning Commission shall approve a date farm healthy food truck permit and plot plan as a non-hearing item if all of the following are met:
10 Item 1.

1. The mobile food truck operation complies with the requirements set forth in this article;

2. Written consent from the lot owner allowing the mobile food truck to operate on the lot has been provided to the planning director;

3. An environmental health permit has been issued for the mobile food truck by the department of environmental health;

4. Inspection of the mobile food truck has been completed by the county fire marshal; and

5. There is no pending code enforcement action on the lot.

SECTION 9. Effective Date
This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption and remain in effect for the duration of the four-year pilot program unless otherwise amended or repealed.

2. A final report shall be submitted to the City Council at the conclusion of the four (4)-year period with recommendations for extending, modifying, or concluding the program. 11 Item 1.

Coachella City CouncilNovember 6, 2024

Coachella City Council
November 6, 2024