LAKE ELSINORE, CA – Food trucks will be able to ply their trade in Lake Elsinore in the near future if a proposed law allowing them wins the City Council’s approval Tuesday.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Lake Elsinore Cultural Center, 183 N. Main St.

Council members considered such an ordinance in mid-June, but postponed adoption to allow City Attorney Barbara Leibold more time to massage the set of regulations. The goal is to open up the city to the thriving mobile restaurant industry while maintaining public safety.

“Absolutely, I’m in support of it,” said Lake Elsinore Mayor Natasha Johnson. “I think it’s going to be a benefit. It’s something that’s increasing in popularity.”

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors set a precedent earlier this year by passing a law allowing food vending trucks subject to public health regulations.

However, it is up to individual cities to permit them on their streets. A countywide ban on them had been in effect since the 1980s when there were concerns about sanitary conditions associated with mobile caterers primarily serving farms and factories.

More recently in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California, food trucks offering gourmet-oriented specialties have become a trend and they frequently appear at events and celebrations.

“In about 2010, the industry just exploded,” said Elma Eaton, chief executive officer of California Cart Builder. The Lake Elsinore company is one of only a handful nationwide that manufactures food trucks.

“Lake Elsinore’s not a huge city, but I think there’s a little room for some food-truck traffic and I think people would be happy to have that little bit of Americana in their area,” Eaton said. “I think it’s a new American way of life.”

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