Everyone lines up for the Grilled Cheese Truck and others, but county regulations may put an end to the event
Pictured: the crowds came for Fancy Food Truck Friday last night in the Webster's parking lot.
by Timothy Rutt
Last night's monthly Food Truck Friday at the Webster's parking lot was the place to meet, greet, and eat last night, but it may be the last one for the foreseeable future.
According to a source close to the event, the county's temporary permit has expired, and getting a new one will be onerous: $892 to cover to the end of the year, and then another $892 after Jan. 1.
The sponsors -- Webster's Community Pharmacy, Webster's Fine Stationers, and Webster's Liquor at 2450 North Lake Ave. -- say they aren't making money on the event, but it's been a boon in terms of the companies' image and identity, and provides a place where a diverse community can come together once a month. By charging almost $1,800 in permits and fees to continue through the end of 2012, the county is putting a significant burden on these businesses, according to the source.
The existing temporary permit was for seven months, and expires in September. The companies want to continue the event through the end of the year, go dark from January through March, and restart in the spring.
However, the county has said that a new temporary permit will be needed to cover October, November and December, and that will cost $892. Then --as temporary permits expire at the end of the calendar year -- Webster's will have to refile and pony up another $892 for 2012.
According to the source, the permit itself only costs $192, but the Websters companies will also have to pay for two inspections (at $200 each) and an environmental assessment ($300). The permit itself is filed under the umbrella of the nonprofit Altadena Chamber of Commerce, or it would cost even more.
The other option, the source said, was to file for a conditional use permit so they wouldn't have to deal with this every year, but the CUP process can cost tens of thousands of dollars (see here for an example of that process).
The source -- who didn't want to be identified because of their involvement in the process -- said that the county has remained unmoved to the Websters' pleas to extend the permit for three months without paying a stiff full-year price.
