SUNRISE, Fla. – The Sunrise City Commission said they will wait until the next commission meeting before making or considering any regulations for food trucks.
Late Tuesday evening, commissioners initially said they would draft an ordinance to allow trucks to operate only during festivals or special events. However, they said at Tuesday's meeting they will wait until the next commission meeting to put anything on paper for consideration.
Sunrise Commissioner Joey Scuotto, who owns a pizza restaurant, said his business is doing okay competing with the trucks, but other brick-and-mortar restaurants are hurting because of them.
"Restaurants have a rough business. It's a tough business," said Scuotto.
Food truckers said they would fight being limited to operating only during special events.
"I don't think that's right," said food truck owner Betty Stendik. "I invested a lot of money into my business, and just trying to make a living."
Robb Muise, owner of Friar Tuck's food truck, said restrictions are unfair.
"We all have a constitutional right to be in business," said Muise. "The residents of Sunrise have a constitutional right to choose where they want to eat."
Michael Kolber is about to open his own restaurant. He said he knows about the permits and fees the trucks don't face.
"They should be allowed in parks and festivals but not near existing restaurants," he said.
Paula Peralta, who manages a Colombian restaurant in the city, welcomes the competition.
"I don't believe they have the variety of food to actually take away from our business. I don't believe," said Peralta.
She said it's all about the American Dream.
"I think it's fair. They're just working. If they can make their living out of doing that, I don't see a problem with that," said Peralta.
The city commission meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, although a vote is not scheduled.