Nathan Duszynski, 13, is selling the hot stand he hoped to operate across the street from Holland city hall.
Douglas Johnson Jr.
HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM) -- City leaders are expected to approve a plan to allow a teenager to operate a hot dog vending cart in downtown Holland.
Mayor Kurt Dykstra Wednesday announced plans to have the city council approve the plan, which would allow Nathan Duszynski, 13, to operate the cart outside a sporting goods store across from city hall for the rest of the year.
An existing zoning ordinance does not allow food carts to compete with downtown restaurants, but members of the council Wednesday informally agreed to approve a special waiver based on a different ordinance.
Dykstra says the city is working on a permanent solution -- providing more space for vendors like Nathan at the 8th Street Marketplace.
This year, Nathan bought his hot dog cart to raise money for his college education and to help out his parents, who are disabled.
The stand was about to open last month when city leaders told Nathan he could not open the stand because of the zoning ordinance.
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Nathan put the cart up for sale after the city told him he could not begin vending hot dogs. Shoreline Container bought the cart for $2,500, but was going to allow Nathan to use it.
Nathan's family is also facing another challenge -- his stepfather, Douglas Johnson Jr., is facing a charge of false pretense, as he is accused of posing as an attorney.
Johnson allegedly agreed to represent a man facing a case in federal court. Kent County detectives say Johnson accepted a retainer from the victim, but failed to show up for the man's court date and did not legal work for the money he had received. Investigators say they have found no records indicating Johnson is a licensed attorney.
Johnson was arrested on Monday, and appeared in 63rd District Court in Grand Haven Township on Wednesday for formal charges.