A deadlocked Leesburg Town Council has put the brakes on efforts to allow food trucks to operate downtown and other town business districts, even on private property.

During their Monday night work session, council members again discussed whether “mobile food units” should be allowed in the town’s business districts, which includes the downtown historic district, the Crescent Design District, parts of the East Market Street corridor, and even the Village at Leesburg neighborhood.

Last month the council approved the allowance of food trucks on public streets and private property in the town’s industrial and employment center districts. They held off for the time being on allowing food trucks on private property in the downtown and other business districts, citing a concern that food trucks could interfere with existing restaurant operations. The council asked the Economic Development Commission to weigh in on the changes, and also were considering several ways to roll out any new regulations, including doing so on a one-year trial basis.

But any potential Zoning Ordinance changes would require re-advertising for another public hearing, Zoning Administrator Chris Murphy told the council last night. Only three council members—Vice Mayor Suzanne Fox and council members Vanessa Maddox and Ron Campbell—were in favor of that, with Mayor Kelly Burk and council members Marty Martinez and Tom Dunn opposed. Because there was not majority support for a new public hearing, the matter will not go forward, at least for the time being.

That means Loudoun Brewing Company and Black Walnut Brewery in downtown will no longer get to invite their regular rotation of food trucks to their property.

Town Manager Kaj Dentler had been holding any notices of violation in abeyance until the council had decided how it wanted to proceed on food truck regulations. With no apparent council interest in allowing food trucks in the business districts, any violations will now be enforced, he confirmed Monday.

krodriguez@loudounnow.com