The majority of regional respondents said they supported North Mankato’s compromised food truck regulations, according to Free Press online questions.

Of a total of 153 respondents, 109 voters – more than 71% – said they agreed with the North Mankato City Council’s compromise rules. Only 44 voters opposed the proposal.

Procedures, which is expected to be passed at a North Mankato City Council meeting on December 21, will prevent outside food trucks from setting up brick and mortar food businesses within 500 feet. The original draft called for a 1,000-foot drop, which was then reduced to 750 feet before being reduced again.

The regulations will also allow existing businesses with food service permits to have food trucks on their property to complement their business, but not parked on the street, no more than 21 days a year. They must comply with all state and local laws relating to food trucks.

Both Mayor Mark Dehen and Board Member Billy Steiner previously said they had serious objections to regulations that would prevent Circle Inn or other brick and mortar businesses from carrying food trucks, but said on Monday they supported a draft revised regulation that would allow businesses, including the Circle Inn, to carry food trucks up to 21 days per year.

The 21 day limit for food trucks to be on the same property follows guidelines used by Nicollet County and the state.

The city does not currently have food truck regulations but has typically approved food truck permits for special occasions, such as the Blues in Belgrade, for use at events on private property and for cases such as the Circle Inn.

The council said it wanted to enact regulations that would protect outside food vendors from parking in front of or very close to existing brick and mortar food businesses to help protect those businesses’ investments in the community.

The Free Press online question, posted on Saturday, asks, “Do you agree with North Mankato’s compromise rules on food trucks?”

There are two options for answering, “yes” or “no”.

Only one commentator responded with a rite of passage, arguing that the proposal was untimely and disproportionately benefited the trucking business.

“Brick-and-mortar businesses struggling to stay in business as-is and letting outside businesses come in and take their livelihoods is wrong,” wrote Jerry Groebner. “This food truck business may pay the costs of doing business but those costs are nothing compared to the taxes an established business has to pay, pandemic or not. This item could be considered again in a few years after the brick and mortar business occurred. recovered. “