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Food trucks get green light in Buffalo

WIVB.com

Posted by: Eli George

Updated: Jan 24, 2012 5:55 PM

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — City lawmakers have given the OK for food trucks to set up shop all over Buffalo.

Mobile food vendors in Buffalo will finally be able to have it their way. After weeks and months of debate the Common Council voted on - and passed - food truck regulations.

North District Councilman Joseph Golombek, Jr. supported the legislation forcing food trucks to stay 100 feet away from the corner of an open restaurant.

  >>  Can food trucks and restaurants co exist?

  >>  In October, the public weighed in on the food truck issue

"I want to wish the food trucks well, and once again, I'm sorry it took so long. They had real patience," said Golombek.

Why did it take so long? One of the reasons is the cost. A food truck would have to pay a $1,000 fee. It was one of the hotly contested issues. The fee would cover the food truck's license until April 2013. Peter Cimino from Lloyd's Taco Truck says it could be a burden.

Cimino argued, "The fee is a bit excessive, but it's something we can address a year or so from now."

Councilman Michael Kearns from the South District wasn't thrilled with the fee either. He opposed this legislation for that reason, among others.

"I think that $1,000 will restrict people from entering the food truck market," said Kearns.

But golombek defends it, arguing, "In many other cities and municipalities, they have to pay extra to be in certain areas, to be in certain blocks, to be in heavily concentrated business districts."

Golombek says if a food truck were to park in a metered space, they would still have to feed the meter. Still, this is a huge victory for Cimino and the food truck industry in Buffalo.

"Truthfully, we're excited, you know, ready to get out and do business in the way we dreamed it would be," said Cimino.

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