Brighton Township Shuts Down BBQ Food Truck for Permit Violations

Hog Wild BBQ, the temporary food truck located at the BP Gas Station in Brighton, was shut down due to permit issues with Brighton Township on Monday.

Dave Price, owner of Hog Wild BBQ, said he was informed by the township’s planner, Kelly Matthews, that because he didn’t operate in a 60 consecutive day format, it appeared he had been at the location longer than the permit allowed. 

When the permit was first issued in February through Brighton Township, Matthews explained that Price had already been operating at the Grand River location for an unknown amount of time. 

“We’ve been getting complaints that he was out there for several weeks and months without a permit and I explained that to him,” Matthews said. “He’s over his 60 days at this point in time to my understanding.”

However, Price argues that he had originally contacted the Township last fall seeking the required paperwork, but was told he wouldn’t need a permit because of the state license he had.

“I have no idea who he would talked to,” Matthews said in response to Price’s claim.

Over the past few months, Price said he documented all his operating days, which he had been trying to stretch out by only opening certain days of the week, as well as moving to other locations for events on certain weekends.

"If it rained, I didn't operate that day," he said. "Or if I went to a county fair, I didn't operate that day. Those shouldn't be counted against me."

The township, however, said that because his truck was left at the BP Gas Station, it gave the appearance that he was violating the 60-day permit.

“I told him in the future he should take the trailer away because when it’s sitting out there all the time, the impression to the public is he’s been out there for weeks and months,” she said.

Typically the township only allows for 60 consecutive days, but Matthews said they were “trying to be nice” allowing him a more sporadic schedule, but it became impossible for them to keep track of his days.

“We can’t be out there all the time,” Matthews said. “It feels like he’s been out there for six months.”

Denied a new permit, Price said he was asked to vacate the premises for “a month or two, let things die down, and then they'll re-evaluate at that time.”

Matthews confirms that she informed Price to “take a break,” and re-apply for a new permit of 60 consecutive days for $100 or give exact dates of operation and remove the truck when not in use.