OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The town is considering creating more specific standards for food trucks.

The town ordinance does not currently have a definition for a food truck or mobile food vendor, and the best fit for such businesses under town ordinance is “food stand,” said Town Planner Jeffrey Hinderliter at a workshop Wednesday night. Food stands are allowed in two zones in the center of town ”“ Downtown District-1 and the Amusement Overlay District.

There was a food truck in the DD-1 zone during the summer of 2013, but it did not return for the 2014 season.

Councilor Kenneth Blow said he wanted people to be allowed to have businesses, but some types of food venues might not be appropriate in some areas. He said a popcorn stand may be appropriate in the middle of Palace Playland, but he didn’t want to see an old van driving into town every day to park on an empty lot to sell food.

“Downtown has come a long way in a short time,” said Blow.

Blow said he didn’t want to put any “undo hardships” on the kiosk businesses near The Pier, which he said “looked great.”

Hinderliter suggested the town could come up with design standards for food trucks and mobile food vendors.

“Design standards would make a big difference,” said Blow.

Councilor Jay Kelley agreed that if such businesses were allowed, they should be “pleasing to the eye.”

Hinderliter said he would prepare some suggested standards and ordinance changes and present them to the council at a later date.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.