Midvale to OK rules regulating taco carts

MIDVALE — The City Council has a plan to make city taco carts more acceptable by patterning them after food carts in Disneyland.

Six months ago, the elected officials put a moratorium on new food carts after the owners of established businesses complained about the carts' dirtiness, safety hazards and poor appearance.

Joe Morley, owner of Joe Morley's Smoked Beef & BBQ on Midvale's Main Street, was among the complainants. He became concerned after a cart opened just feet from his business. Beyond confusing customers, the cart looked cheap — it advertised with a disco ball — and was dangerous, leaving propane tanks in the path of a dry cleaning driveway, he said.

"First of all, I'm all for bringing all the business we can into Midvale City," Morley recently told the council. "Some of us really get regulated. Other's don't. I'm saying let's have a clear playing field."

Joe Morley Jr. said his family does not want special treatment and is not against Latinos but he believes that if good regulations are in place the business environment in the city will be better for all.

City staff has been slaving away on the new ordinance since the moratorium was instituted. The city has also held two public hearings, but no taco stand owners showed up. They were not sent notice of the hearings, said Midvale City Manager Kane Loader.

Up until last week, some council members wanted the food stands banned completely. But after an hourslong discussion last week, the council is slated to pass an ordinance that would allow the carts on most city zones as long as they meet stringent size and appearance standards. The council will vote Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Midvale Councilman Paul Glover started out vehemently opposed to the carts. He's never patronized one and believes their presence on Midvale streets brings the whole community down.

"We already have a negative image in the city and I think this just adds to it," he said.

But Glover lit upon an idea to standardize the carts, making them more like an old-fashioned pushcart than a full-size trailer. He also wants colors and signage regulated and would allow only one umbrella per stand.

The carts are already governed by the Salt Lake County Health Department, which requires daily cleaning, hand-washing facilities and temperature-controlled food storage.

Fellow Councilman Robert Hale, who also started out in opposition to the food stands, agrees with Glover.