DULUTH - The Duluth City Council has unanimously approved a new ordinance that councilors say will help regulate food trucks in the area, while not hurting the city's restaurants.

"We put a gourmet spin on street food," The Rambler food truck Owner and Operator Jonathan Reznick said.

They're expanding more and more each year, shaking up the culinary scene.

"We put out good food, good product and people seem to enjoy it," said Reznick.

Food trucks like The Rambler, rolling into the Northland, are now only being regulated with a $51 peddler license and that does not sit well with some restaurants and establishments.

"They were just parking anywhere,” Deluxe Coney Island Owner George Regas said. “Pull up at a meter anywhere, sit there all day and all afternoon and all night."

To make sure everybody plays by the same rules, a new ordinance has been approved for Duluth food trucks.

"We created this ordinance as a way to have food trucks be a vibrant presence downtown and to do that in concert with some of the other restaurants and commercial corridors that we have in our city," Duluth City Councilor Emily Larson said.

Under the new ordinance, food trucks would have to operate at least 200 feet away from bricks and mortar restaurants while their kitchen is open.

"Last year they were setting up right in front of the stores so that helps push them away a little bit," said Regas.

The ordinance also requires food trucks and carts to stay 400 feet away from events and raises the current $51, 12 month license fee to $175 for carts and $475 for trucks.

"I hope that the rules and regulations work out for both sides," said Reznick. "For us and for the restaurants and for the city.

Regas agrees the new ordinance is a good thing, but he believes the 12 month license permit should be shortened.

"We enjoy the business, I'm not against the business,” said Regas. “But find a spot like everybody else does to either own the sport or lease the spot."

The ordinace has been more than 6 months in the works.

It was developed by Larson, food trucks, restaurants, the Greater Downtown Council and the Duluth Chamber of Commerce.

Weekend Spotlight: March 8, 9 & 10, 2013

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