Food trucks in Horry County get first nod

The ordinance to bring mobile food trucks to Horry County flew through its first reading at County Council’s meeting Tuesday.

The food truck issue began in November 2013 after a truck owner sought to expand his business into the county. Horry County policy currently does not permit mobile food trucks, but allows push carts.

A special committee and county staff spent nearly a year surveying the public, developing fee rates and regulations, and crafting a plan for a one-year pilot program that would test the viability of food trucks in the county.

But in October, Horry County Council voted 9-3 against the pilot program. In its place, county leaders suggested the trucks be limited to serving pre-packaged food on job sites far from brick-and-mortar restaurants. Some council members worried about the food trucks luring business from traditional eating places. There are more than 1,800 restaurants along the Grand Strand.

The ordinance must receive two more affirmative readings before it can be official. The second reading, scheduled for April 21, is traditionally when the public can speak to the council about the ordinance.

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Food trucks in Horry County get first nod."