Food trucks could begin operating in Sarasota’s Downtown Bayfront district under a proposed zoning change that would extend mobile vendors into one of the city’s few remaining commercial areas where they are prohibited and potentially expand the use into additional commercial districts.
The proposal grew out of a request from Swim City, a retailer at 50 N. Tamiami Trail, whose owners asked the city to allow coffee carts and food trucks on the company’s private property after discovering the Downtown Bayfront district does not permit mobile food vendors.
Company officials said the change would increase activity around the property, provide additional food and beverage options for customers and support nearby businesses without requiring permanent construction…