Mobile food vendors could have a future in the City of Cold Lake, but what that looks like is yet to be determined.
But, food trucks aren't the only mobile businesses on the city's radar. They're also considering vendors that sell other items from a mobile unit such as lobster, corn, and even household items.
During the City of Cold Lake corporate priorities meeting, council discussed the provisions they would and wouldn't like to see included.
The draft bylaw up for discussion required all mobile food vendors remain a minimum of 50-metres from any sit-down or take-out restaurant. But, there was another option that only included fast food establishments as well.
The bylaw could go a number of ways, but so far, council has had difficulty agreeing on the details.
Coun. Chris Vining, who had previously been all-for putting a restriction on food vendors, now wondered if it was completely necessary.
“I've got no appetite for putting setbacks on these things,” he expressed. “If we have a problem because they aren't a brick and mortar business and they don't pay taxes, then that I think, becomes a permitting issue.”
Currently, the City of Cold Lake doesn't have any restrictions like this in place for businesses within the community.
For example, when a restaurant chooses a location, the city doesn't say no because it's right next to another eating establishment.
“We don't have anything that says they can't. If it fits the land-use bylaw, we permit it. I think to do this is really protectionist. I don't like it,” Vining continued.
For Coun. Bob Buckle, it's about protecting the mom and pop shops that have been in the community for years, and rely on the customers that could be taken elsewhere because of the mobile food options.
Suggestions such as creating a designated area for food trucks, just allowing them to go where they please, and requiring strict permits for them to operate within the city were tossed around the table.
The matter was only before council for discussion, and CAO Kevin Nagoya said he would take some of council's comments on the bylaw back to the drawing board.
However, he added, “We will propose a final version of the policy and council can amend it, or pass it, how you see fit. I think we have enough to come close, but I don't think council is going to fully agree on all of the provisions.”
Even though they had difficulties agreeing on what they would like included in the bylaw, councillors believe a permit is necessary when it comes to mobile vendors. What those permits will look like is still up for decision.
“There is a consensus on council that maybe the issue has to be a little bit more broader than food vendors, but there's some other conversation to be had there in terms of businesses who are transient in nature,” Nagoya explained.
One area council didn't agree on was the set-back from other businesses.
The draft policy includes 50-metres, but that could change. However, Nagoya stressed that 50-metres doesn't mean a mobile vendor can't be within that area at all. What they would require is a letter of non-objection from the business owner.
“In many aspects, maybe the person within the 50-metres doesn't feel as though it's in competition,” he said.
The draft also includes special events, which is a free-for-all for food trucks.
One item council still has to discuss is the cost of the permit, what it entails, and where it allows mobile vendors to park.
In terms of cost, Cold Lake staff has reviewed other cities policies, and have noticed a trend of anywhere from $500 to $1,400 for permits.
“That's up to council. Your business licenses are pretty cheap within the community. I think it's $75. Is it appropriate to have a $500 or $700 permit fee for a transient mobile unit?” Nagoya questioned.
The issue will be back before council after city administration reviews and revisits the policy.
Nagoya said, “It's going to be a matter of where council's appetite is on what actually gets put through as policy of council. As much as I would like to get a consensus from council on these provisions, I think we have differences in some of the pieces, but consensus on others.”
