The Mobile Food Unit Pilot Program in Gulf Shores was extended for 90 days after the Gulf Shores City Council voted down an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance at the Dec. 14 council meeting.

The ordinance would have allowed the permanent use of food trucks in the city. The council passed a resolution to extend the current pilot program for 90 days while other zoning areas are considered.

Planning Director Andy Bauer presented the council with the results of a survey of food truck owners operating in Gulf Shores, patrons and impacted businesses. The results were positive, with 94 percent of patrons, 85 percent of impacted businesses and 100 percent of food truck vendors supporting the proposal to allow food trucks on a permanent basis.

Despite the survey results and all members of the City Council voicing their support of food trucks the vote was 3-3 and failed to pass. Jason Dyken, Joe Garris and Steve Jones voted yes while Mayor Robert Craft, Gary Sinak and Phillip Harris voted no and requested staff investigate the zoning areas included.

Ryan Shamburger, general manager of Big Beach Brewing and the author of the amendment change, has supported the city’s adoption of food trucks on a permanent basis.

“Thank you for bringing this up again. I know it seems like we are spending a lot of time on it this year. I really appreciate we live in a place where residents can bring this stuff to you and we can work it out and debate it here. Thank you to the city staff for running the pilot program, running the survey. I really do think the survey results were pretty overwhelmingly in favor of more food truck options,” said Shamburger. He went on to say he was pleased the pilot program was extended.

The ordinance will be advertised for 60 days before going to the Planning Commission and back to the City Council.