CARLISLE, PA — Mobile food vendors could be asked to pay an annual fee of $250 if the first draft of a proposed ordinance gains approval by the borough council.

Sean Shultz, chairman of the borough council’s sustainability and community planning committee, said there is “no hurry” to bring the ordinance to a council vote. The ordinance was presented at a meeting of that committee Wednesday morning.

“It’s a starting point,” said Borough Manager Matt Candland.

The ordinance would allow the vendors to operate in the general industrial zoning district, which is primarily comprised of the warehouse district to the western edge of the borough. Some members of the borough council, however, see the move as a foot in the door for the eventual appearance of the vendors downtown — a move they say raises concerns about the town’s image.

“My concern is that it will creep into downtown eventually and we will be looking at another ordinance,” said councilwoman Linda Cecconello.

Cecconello also said the $250 annual fee wouldn’t be enough to cover the inequity between the responsibilities of the mobile food vendor and the traditional restaurant owner, who pays taxes in the borough.

The draft ordinance defines a mobile food vendor as a “vehicle-mounted food service establishment.” It would require vendors to have a current permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and to gain the written permission of the owners of the private property on which they would operate.

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