P&Z OKs food stand

SANDPOINT — The Planning Commission cleared the way for tacos at its regular meeting Tuesday night.

In the major discussion of the evening, commission members approved residents Ignacio and Cindi Padilla’s request to open a mobile Mexican food stand situated outside the Waterfront Express Conoco located at 209 E. Superior St.

“We’ve been here for over six years and have been going through a lot of different ideas about how to keep productive,” Ignacio Padilla said.

Their restaurant El Chicano’s will be housed in a mobile trailer converted into a kitchen but will remain stationary at the Conoco. The trailer will share utility usage and bathrooms with the gas station and collect all of its own food waste for proper disposal.

The Padillas plan on being open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and hope to open the business on May 5, Cinco de Mayo.

The commission outlined eight conditions of compliance before granting a conditional use permit. Members stipulated that the business only operate in the southwestern area of the building, schedule deliveries to limit traffic impact, use vehicle-only signs, properly dispose of their waste, only operate during Conoco business hours, comply with the fire code, keep up-to-date contact information and register their business. As a final addendum, the commission set the permit on a two-year lifespan to be considered for renewal after its expiration. Otherwise, members responded positively to the request.

“This seems like a great idea and we would want to do everything we could to help it succeed,” commission member Cate Huisman said.

The commission approval thrilled the Padillas.

“Now we can get cooking,” Padilla said, cheering an audible “woo-hoo” after leaving the chamber.

The planning commission later turned toward approving the city council’s alterations to the revised industrial zoning system. While members ultimately approved the changes, they were split on increased residential restrictions in an airport airspace zone. The council decided to prohibit all new residences in the area including small caretaker living spaces.

“They based it on health and safety issues related to the airport’s operation,” Planning Director Jeremy Grimm said.

The large area covered within the airport overlay zone and the prohibition of even small caretaker units split the commission. However, Grimm noted that the issues wouldn’t be ignored.

“I think the minutes will definitely reflect your concerns,” he said.