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Vendors Fight For The Right To Stay Open

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By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

EAST TAMPA - Some food vendors feel under assault from city zoning rules that are forcing mobile cart shutdowns.

But at an appeal hearing Oct. 2, James and Sheilah Youngblood won tentative approval for a permit that could have them selling seafood and chicken wings from their yellow van again.

The city council granted the couple waivers on rules that require vendors with annual permits to set up on developed lots and provide restrooms for customers. With final approval Oct. 16, the Youngbloods can reopen on the vacant commercial lot at East Genesee and 22nd streets.

"This is my livelihood," said Sheilah Youngblood, mobile food vendor for nearly 17 years. The couple, who own Picture Man Catering, say they spent more than $600 cleaning up the lot and adding landscaping.

About 250 residents signed a petition supporting the Youngbloods.

In the next weeks, the council will consider revisions to a 2007 ordinance that hasn't proved workable.

Under the proposed revisions, the Youngbloods automatically would have qualified for a permit without taking their case to the council.

Some residents say they at least want requirements for vendors to be able to wash their hands. The Youngbloods agree, but say state inspectors monitor to ensure they have hot and cold running water and restrooms for employees.

The Youngbloods rely on a recreational vehicle to meet the requirements, but they say customer bathrooms aren't needed.

"People just come by and get their food," James Youngblood said.

Carl "Ice Cream" Weltower, owner of Ice Cream's Delicious Turkey Legs and B-B-Q, is among the vendors watching what the council does.

He lost his spot at Osborne Avenue and 22nd Street after a six-year run selling turkey legs, chicken and barbecue to a steady lunch and dinner crowd.

"I kept my place clean," Weltower said. "They said it was an eyesore."

Like the Youngbloods, he lacked a restroom. Though he was renting space on a developed lot, Weltower said he struggled for weeks to meet a steady stream of instructions from code enforcement: move back at least 150 feet from the curb; stop using an onsite shed; paint the shed; install electrical outlets in the shed; and, finally, board up the shed.

A mobile concession stand with built-in grills also failed to pass muster, Weltower said.

He shut down and then got an offer from the owners of Fast Lane Clothing to set up outside the sewing plant at Shadowlawn Avenue and 22nd.

"We're just the little guys," Weltower said. "I feel like the city is picking on me."

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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