COLUMBUS, OH – With new regulations on the horizon, food-truck operators still are unsure how the rules will impact the bottom line or if some rules will allow them to operate at all.

The city hosted a public meeting Wednesday for feedback on its proposed regulations for mobile food vendors and while broad strokes of the plan met little resistance, including basic licensing, an electronic reservation system and the creation of designated zones on city streets, there was a consensus that more time is needed to spell out several specifics. This was voiced by nearly all speakers, not just food-truck and cart operators, but also restaurant owners and community representatives.

Councilwoman Michelle Mills told the group that the issues have been discussed for two years and the city needs to move forward with the best interests of the city in mind, which includes balancing safety concerns with the desire to support a growing industry. Speaking to Mills after the meeting, she reinforced a planned 90-day window in which she wants legislation passed by Columbus City Council, which a spokesman afterward told me should be enough time to iron out the issues raised.

Several food-truck operators told me they feared the legislation could be introduced as early as next month.

“How do we adapt and adjust?” asked Brian Reed, president of the Central Ohio Food Truck Association and owner-operator of Mojo TaGo.

Find the entire article at bizjournals.com <here>