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Mobile vending a hot topic at Council on Monday

Town Council gave first reading to the Mobile Vending Bylaw on Monday evening.

Town Council gave first reading to the Mobile Vending Bylaw on Monday evening.

The bylaw contains a number of amendments to the Mobile Vending Program including fee changes and location changes.

Mobile vending units include food trucks, food carts, recreation vendors, artist/photography vendors, handcrafted goods vendors and flower/plant vendors.

Busking regulations are also included in the proposed bylaw.

Following the 2015 mobile vending season, a survey was conducted with information being gathered from vendors, registered downtown businesses and the general public.

Based on the results of the surveys, it was determined mobile vending did not affect brick and mortar businesses. Results also indicated the fees for food trucks were too high.

The program was found to be too restrictive regarding fees, signage and locations, in addition to having too few locations. The proposed Mobile Vending Bylaw aims to address the concerns, which arose from the pilot program.

Other topics set for debate by Council during the second and third readings will include reevaluating locations as well as considerations of the number of permits available on public property  particularly in regards to the ‘Old Hotel’ site, where consideration can be given to removing the fencing to allow for a ‘people friendly’ area.

editor@sylvanlakenews.com