A frustrated council was left with little choice on Monday night other than to defer the proposed mobile food vendor bylaw until an unknown later date.
A frustrated council was left with little choice on Monday night other than to defer the proposed mobile food vendor bylaw until an unknown later date.
Darcy Scott, owner and operator of Grilled, will be hitting the Cochrane streets in the next few days, operating under the parameters set in the original pilot program, which allows for downtown parking as long he adheres to setbacks (including 25 metres from restaurants).
Scott is hopeful that “a bylaw will be created that works for everyone ” but is frustrated by the red tape surrounding the draft of a bylaw that will address how local and out-of-town food trucks operate in town.
Following a lengthy debate, administration brought to council's attention that the wording of the proposed food truck bylaw does not address how regulation and fees would be applied to out-of-town trucks.
Mike Korman, senior manager of development services for the town, said the economic development team is currently working on a new bylaw for business licences for the town. The existing bylaw was written in 2009 and the town has undergone significant changes and unprecedented growth since then.
Jules Hall with the development team said something needs to be created that is “fair and equitable for everyone. ”
Councillors highlighted that they wanted to ensure local food truck operators were not put at a disadvantage to Calgary vendors coming to town for special events, as highlighted by Coun. Mary Lou Eckmeier.
Scott said that a one-off licensed option for a reduced rate (roughly $40 to $50) for a special event would be more reasonable than the proposed $200 one-time mobile food vendor permit.
The Grilled vendor, who was asked to share his thoughts impromptu at council, said that a more hospitable climate for food trucks needs to be fostered and that keeping event fees reasonable to encourage Calgary trucks to “test the waters ” should be encouraged.
The more, the merrier according to Scott.
Korman confirmed that the new bylaw will address event licensing.
Administration advised council they anticipate to have the business license bylaw, which would likely be presented in conjunction with a food truck bylaw, back before council “in the next couple of months. ”
Scott said it might be less complicated to scrap the mobile food vendor permit altogether and create a new annual business licence level specifically for such vendors.
The other one-time fee food trucks have to pay is the $250 development permit, with respect to their operation base.
Council did move forward with a land use bylaw amendment for operation base for food trucks.
The amendment includes the ability for “operation base ” and “home-based business ” to coexist within the same residence. It also clarifies that commercial vehicles that weigh in excess of 4,500 kg cannot park in front of residences between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
