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UPDATED: City of Powell River bylaw draft paves way for food trucks

Council addresses mobile vending conflict
City of Powell River food trucks
TRUCK STOP: City of Powell River is looking at designating two locations near the South Harbour for food truck operators. Contributed photo

Food trucks will have a place to set up under recommendations in a report to City of Powell River committee of the whole on July 31.

City council is considering rules and regulations for operating ice cream trucks, food carts and food trucks.

“This is something that came together very quickly,” said city senior planner Jason Gow. The current approach has made for some conflict between vendors and the city, he added.

After receiving correspondence from Sli City Grill food truck owner Erik Blaney in May, staff was given direction to report on regulations and licensing related to street vending.

A new bylaw has been drafted resulting from challenges that arose this year because of the relative inflexibility of existing regulations, according to Gow’s report.

No bylaws currently exist for governing street vending and planning staff recommend it be resolved through a standalone bylaw. For the time being, it will only pertain to three food truck locations. Two are at the South Harbour near the new Canadian Coast Guard station under construction close to the access to the sea walk on Marine Avenue. On the recommendation of councillor Russell Brewer, the third location is in Townsite outside of Dwight Hall at the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Ash Street.

Gow identified two suitable locations for food trucks and proposed moving to a process where street vending is regulated specifically to the South Harbour property.

“While the draft street vending bylaw is comprehensive, it will only apply to the former barge terminal,” said Gow. “The other locations will continue to be regulated through the zoning bylaw.”

A more in-depth review will occur through amendments over time to include additional locations.

Problematic conditions for food trucks operating on private property will also be addressed, according to Gow.

Under new rules, food trucks could do business on private property where there is already an established business but only in industrial, institutional or commercial zones.

UPDATE: City of Powell River mayor and council unanimously approved the standalone street vending bylaw on August 2.