An ordinance allowing the trucks to operate in the general industrial district of the borough passed unanimously among the five members present at the meeting. Sean Shultz and Perry Heath were both absent.

The decision came after a brief public hearing at which speakers voiced their support for food truck vendors.

“I just think that food trucks give another addition to Carlisle that makes it a more vibrant town,” said Brenda Landis.

Redd’s Smokehouse BBQ, now a fixture in downtown Carlisle, is proof that the trucks can translate into a traditional brick-and-mortar place, she said.

“I have shown that personally, there is a want for this. There is a desire for this,” said Jason Turner, owner of Unlawful Falafel, whose struggle with the borough over the past year led to the creation of the ordinance.

Turner said he agreed with the ordinance “wholeheartedly.”

Food trucks create a separate entity from the restaurants that can offer seating, air conditioning and, in some cases, alcohol. The trucks also have the potential to operate outside the normal operating hours of the restaurants, he said.

“It is a commerce that is worth investing in, and will bring commerce downtown,” Turner said.

The ordinance outlines the responsibility of food vendors and provides guidelines for how they should operate within the borough limits. According to the ordinance, the vendors “have the same responsibilities to their customers and the community as to food service establishments with fixed locations.”

Food vendors will only be allowed to operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on private property with permission from the property owners. They will only be allowed to serve walk-up customers, and may not provide customer seating.

Vendors will also not be permitted to broadcast loud music or advertisements. They also must provide for adequate waste collection, and operate in a safe, sanitary and non-offensive manner.

Those wishing to operate a mobile food unit must have a yearly permit that includes proof of insurance with minimum liability coverage of $1 million. Applicants will have to undergo a background check through the police department before a permit may be issued.

The fee for the annual permit will be set by council. Immediately after approving the ordinance, the council set this year’s fee at $400 which codes officer Bruce Koziar said was in line with the fee charged to transient retail vendors in the borough. The fee will continue at that rate until the council passes a resolution changing it.