Approval of two additional food truck courts in Ceres comes with concerns
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- Ceres approved two food truck hubs, one with 10 trucks, another with 20 trucks.
- Noise levels, lack of parking and security raised concern at one site.
- City attorney advised against using 'grub hub' to avoid trademark complications.
The Ceres Planning Commission approved the construction of two more food truck/trailer courts within the city.
A 10-truck court on Service Road across from the Walmart Supercenter was approved 4-0, and a 20-truck court on Whitmore Avenue near Morgan Road was approved 3-1.
The decision had beendelayed. The commission voted in June to continue the public hearings of the applications due to the lack of guidance from the City Council on whether there should be a limit on what they called “grub hubs.”
With the approval of the “grub hubs” came concerns from the public and commissioners. One of the concerns was using the term “grub hub,” which a member of the audience said could cause issues with the trademarked food delivery service Grubhub.
“I think it was a term that was catchy and caught on,” said Kelsey George, contract planner with the city of Ceres. “The formal term for these is mobile food vending facilities.”
The city attorney said the liability is fairly low, but it would be best practice to avoid using “grub hub” and choose another term.
What features will the Service Road food truck court have?
Sukhjinder Sanghera applied for a conditional use permit for what will be called Sanghera Grub Hub.
The application included parking, a covered seating area, a game area and two container bathrooms on a 1.36-acre lot at 3125 E. Service Road. There would be space for up to 10 food truck/trailers.
“This facility provides quick and convenient food options for those passing through Ceres and along State Route 99 as well as to local residents traveling through the corridor on a daily basis,” George said when presenting the project.
The city ordinance does not say how many parking spaces are required for food truck courts, George said, but when approving the one on Farm Supply Drive in October, the Planning Commission set a parking standard precedent of 2.5 spaces per truck.
Sanghera Grub Hub would have 25 parking spaces, which fits that standard.
Ceres resident John Warren said with the addition of the two food truck courts, the number of food trucks within the city is rapidly growing — approaching what he says will be around 150, includingthe ones at El Rematito Flea Market.
“I really would encourage a ‘no’ vote just until the City Council will give some direction to you folks on the number that they want to allow within the city,” Warren said.
Bigger concerns for Whitmore Avenue food truck court
Applicant Ashley Ranuio proposed a conditional use permit for Truck Stop Grub Hub and Outdoor Music Venue.
There will be up to 20 food trucks, 68 designated parking stalls (including four ADA and six EV), a seating area, game area, live performance area, commissary, truck washing station and bathrooms on a 2.94-acre lot at 1379 E. Whitmore Ave.
Due to the proximity to residential neighborhoods, city staff asked the applicant to prepare a noise study to determine whether the music would create a noise impact on residents.
“The noise modeling found that during live performances, noise levels could reach up to 64 dB at the property line,” George said. “However, there is an existing ambient noise level of 78 with average noise levels of 72 to 75 dB throughout the day. So that existing noise comes from the ongoing traffic on Whitmore.”
A condition of approval was added to the conditional use permit that it could operate only until 10 p.m., so the venue is closed during lower ambient noise times, she said.
The availability of overflow parking was a concern for commission Chairman Gary Condit. With an estimated capacity of 500 people at the outdoor facility and the possibility of large-scale events, Condit said he was worried about whether there would be enough parking spaces.
“We want some kind of backdrop, whether it’s showing movies at night for kids or if there’s a local band that just has background music,” the applicant said. “There’s no intention of an event per se.”
In addition to noise and parking concerns, Warren cited the lack of security officers proposed in the permit as an issue with the saleof alcohol.
After much discussion and deliberation, the Planning Commission motioned to approve the application with the condition that if alcohol will be sold, security will be required. It was approved with a 3-1 vote.
“I think it’s a great project and it’s very unique to Ceres,” Condit said. “The venue aspect, giving families somewhere to go, presents appeal for me.”
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM.
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