July 18, 2024, Press Release from the Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission: LIMA—Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission hosted a tour for its Community Development Committee (CDC) yesterday utilizing the RTA trolley to explore and learn about the development and revitalization of downtown. The committee, which meets quarterly in a typical conference room setting, decided instead this time to get out of the office and explore the area in effort to educate and excite its members about the work it takes to properly grow a city. Guest speakers who joined the committee members and other invited guests on the trolley included John Heaphy of Good Food Restaurants, Bart Mills of Central District Lima, Marc Bowker of Alter Ego Comics, Rob Nelson of The Met, and Kirk Niemeyer of The City of Lima.

The committee met for the third time on this issue and discussed current ordinances in place to protect the safety of those in the city from dangerous operations regarding food trucks. Currently, in order to obtain a special license or a yearly license to operate a food truck, applicants must obtain a copy of an approved Lima Fire Department inspection report showing compliance with the Ohio Fire Code. The committee voted to refer this to council with no further action.

The committee met and discussed the current laws they have and how to better laws for the safety of the community. One big concern brought up at the meeting was that they don’t have a plan in place to tell who is coming into the city and if they are operating safely within the city limits. A food truck operator brought up issues that he has seen on the streets that while there are inspections for food safety, there are no inspections for fire safety, and the possibility of explosions happening due to propane leaks. Councilors are looking to implement an ordinance that will create a checklist of inspections that are needed to operate a food truck in Lima.