Food truck pilot cut short at Sea-Tac Airport

The arrival of food trucks to the Sea-Tac Airport cellphone lot was a welcome by visitors, but not the city.

The Tacoma News Tribune likened the popularity of the food trucks to getting a free upgrade to first class and Sea-Tac spokesperson Perry Cooper told the Tribune there was “some really good feedback” regarding what was supposed to be a three-month pilot program.

“It’s a great way to take a bite out of your wait and enjoy some great food options you might not be aware of,” Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman said when the program was unveiled. “This is another opportunity to grow local, small business activity at the airport and improve the experience for users of the cellphone lot.”

RELATED: New food at CenturyLink Field

But all the fanfare wasn’t enough to save the program. After just two weeks, the airport shut it down after receiving a cease and desist letter from the City of SeaTac. Why? Because food trucks are not allowed in the city.

According to the city, food trucks are not allowed within city limits unless they are catering private or public events, or within the Angle Lake Station District.

“The City’s Zoning Code does not allow mobile vending such as food trucks and food trailers. When the issue had been previously considered in the city, prior city councils heard concerns that food trucks and similar businesses could provide unfair competition with local restaurants. The zoning code reflects those prior decisions,” a statement from the city reads.

The Washington State Food Truck Association issued a statement in response. In it, the association says a local coffee shop alerted the city of the “unfair competition.”

The city council has referred the issue to the Land Use and Parks Committee as the city considers amendments to the current rules.

“If the LUP Committee makes recommendations for changes, it will take several months before proposed code amendments are ready for action by the Planning Commission and the City Council,” the city’s statement reads.

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest