New Food Truck Law To Be Introduced; At Least Two Trucks Won't Renew Permits

The Hoboken City Council is re-introducing a food truck ordinance at Wednesday night's meeting, which includes the choice of a four-day or a seven-day permit and requires vendors to install a Global Positioning System in their trucks.

Food truck owners have expressed their opposition to the sharp increase in cost. Currently the vendors pay $500. Under the new law, a four-day permit will be $1,600 and a seven-day permit will be $2,500 annually. The permits grant the vendors certain privileges, such as the right to park at a two-hour spot for four hours more than regular parkers.

Adam Sobel, owner of vegan truck has announced he will be leaving Hoboken, as will Joe Glaser, owner of dessert truck La Bella Vita.

"It's been a struggle for us to vend on the streets in Hoboken for the past two seasons," Sobel wrote on his Facebook page. "The laws are problematic, and the enforcement of them is strange and selective."

Glaser said he will take his truck to Brooklyn full time. "I'm going to miss Hoboken," he said on Tuesday afternoon, parked on Second and Washington Streets. He added that his main issue with the new ordinance is the installment of a GPS in the trucks.

Director of Parking and Transportation Ian Sacs and Councilwoman Jennifer Giattino have explained that the GPS is the easiest way of tracking the trucks and enforcing the new policy.

"We will miss the great view on Sinatra, and we will miss being a part of Hoboken," Sobel wrote.

Sacs has said in earlier interviews that the increased cost are necessary to enforce the new policy and not for extra revenue for the department.

The new law also requires food trucks to be parked at least 75 feet from an establishment with a menu and no more than two food trucks can park on one block.

The City Council Later, , the committee