The City Council on Wednesday enacted a six-month freeze on licenses or permits for short-term loan providers and some other businesses. The measure had been sought by the Bridgeton planning commission.
Affected businesses also include payday loan providers, currency exchanges, tattoo shops, pawnshops, sexually oriented establishments and “other similar establishments.” The freeze allows the commission and the council time to study zoning issues related to such businesses and change zoning laws if necessary. Tobacco shops were a late addition to the study list recommended by the commission.
The council will also study possible regulations on mobile food vendors, which are not yet in Bridgeton but are growing in popularity. Large mobile kitchens have replaced “lunch trucks” or push carts, planning officer David Bookless told the council as he showed photos. He recommended that the trucks not be allowed to compete directly with established restaurants and be restricted to private property.
From wire and correspondent reports
