SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — Right now, the City of Sevierville doesn't allow food trucks unless there's a special event. Soon, that can change as the city continues to grow.
Dustin Smith, the City of Sevierville development director, said food trucks continue to gain popularity across East Tennessee.
"We've gotten a lot more interest and requests and inquiries came about allowing them to actually come into the city and operate," Smith said.
He said that it could be time to allow food trucks in Sevierville, after seeing such a surge in requests. However, he said that leaders could be challenged by allowing food trucks to set up shop in Sevierville. They need to protect existing brick-and-mortar restaurants, he said.
He said cities surrounding Sevierville have welcomed all types of food trucks.
"Knoxville has kind of embraced the food trucks and have made it part of different areas," Smith said. "It has been an attraction and a draw for people."
He also said he noticed after the last year, more people are drawn to outdoor dining which could be good news for Sevierville, located next to the Great Smoky Mountains.
He also said that city leaders have looked at the possibility of implementing housing options above businesses. The new housing options could help them manage at 20% population growth.
The Sevierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Sevierville Regional Planning Commission have scheduled a joint workshop on Monday, Sept. 20. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the Planning Commission approval process, food trucks and housing in commercial zones.