Food trucks can now legally hit Cochrane streets.
The two Cochrane food trucks participating in the mobile food vendors pilot program are now approved to park on the streets, as of Monday.
Since the program launched last fall, on-street parking was initially prohibited, limiting any food trucks wanting to park to a limited number of parking lots throughout the town.
“It is great that we are now allowed to park on the street, it gives us a fighting chance in our own backyard,” said Brian Gebbie, food truck owner in Cochrane who is currently getting his truck ready to launch later this summer.
The new conditions of operation – which have yet to be updated on the Town of Cochrane’s website – now allow street parking in commercial areas with the exception of First Street West in historical downtown.
“There are too many restaurants downtown,” said Robyn Rechenmacher, planning services with the town, who explained that existing rules state the mobile food vendors cannot operate within 25 metres of an existing permanent food service establishment.
“The program is using research from best practices … we are definitely open to working with the applicants,” Rechenmacher said.
While Rechenmacher admitted the Town did not research if the food establishments on First Street were in favour or against the mobile food vendors parking downtown, the planner said the conditions of the pilot program were a hybrid of existing town bylaws and other municipalities bylaws with food trucks.
An in-person survey conducted by the Eagle showed food establishments on First Street had mixed reviews on mobile food vendors parking downtown.
Out of eight food establishments, four were against food trucks downtown citing reasons such as “it takes foot traffic away from our business,” “they don’t have bathrooms,” and “they don’t pay the same land taxes.”
Gebbie agreed food trucks should stay out of downtown but said he does not think it is stealing anyone’s business.
“As long as you have good food, good atmosphere and good service then we are not competition. We can only offer food, not atmosphere or service,” Gebbie said
Two businesses told the Eagle their support would depend on where the food truck parked, one business said it would not affect them, and one business voted in favour, saying “anything that brings people into historical downtown is good for everyone.”
Darcy Scott, the owner of Grilled – the only food truck currently operating in Cochrane – said he is excited with the progress of program and is looking forward to street parking.
He opened his food truck last fall after the pilot program launched and has been working with the Town to find regulations that work for everyone.
“My goal is to have a viable and sustainable food truck program that will be good for everyone,” Scott said.
“I just want a level playing field for everyone.”
The mobile food vendor program was initially going to run until December – as it currently states on the Town of Cochrane website – but both vendors have been told the program will now wrap up in the fall with the official bylaw to follow.
“The community has been very supportive and with the warmer weather now, I am excited to get out there,” Scott said.
The Town of Cochrane is taking public feedback about the program and food trucks in town, and both vendors want to encourage everyone to have their say.
For more information on the program go to cochrane.ca/724/Mobile-Food-Vendors
