Mobile vendors will be prohibited north of the railway tracks in Sylvan Lake, after councillors directed staff to rework a proposed business licensing bylaw following considerable opposition from business owners in the lakeshore area.
But prior to making that decision at Monday night’s meeting, their discussion was wide ranging and threatened several currently operating businesses.
The town’s current licensing bylaw allows mobile vendors to operate south of the railway which cuts through town between 49th and 50th Avenues.
The proposed bylaw also prohibits travelling mobile vendors — those like Dickie Dee that would be hailed by people as they pass.
Councillor Sean McIntyre questioned the definition of travelling vendors since he’s aware of businesses such as knife sharpening, auto, tire and boat repair and tool sales that travel to their clients. Those, councillors were told, are allowed because they only travel to prearranged appointments.
Once in favour of mobile vending, McIntyre said he’d changed his mind, particularly when references to the Pattern Book were made. “When this was first brought up I thought it was an avenue to support culture and there was room to include it in the downtown,” he said. But he concluded the disparity between restrictions on existing businesses and lack of restrictions on mobile vendors was too great.
Councillor Graham Parsons indicated he’s always been in favour of the ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses and doesn’t support mobile vending.
“I don’t believe this is the way to revitalize and empower the downtown,” said Councillor Dale Plante. “We’ve talked a lot at this council about revitalization … we’re speaking out of both sides of our mouth if we revitalize but let others come in.
“I think the Pattern Book is a strait jacket for a lot of creativity and expression.” Plante further stated, “I don’t think this is just about this side of the tracks.”
Councillor Rick Grimson indicated he’s been through this fight before and doesn’t support “seasonal mobile vendors. Bricks and mortar need our protection.” The compromise in the past has been prohibiting mobile vendors on the north side of the tracks.
Also agreeing to prohibit mobile vendors was Councillor Laverne Asselstine. “I don’t think it’s fair to the ‘bricks and mortar’.” He agreed with the homeowners on 40th Street and added there’s no specified restriction on the size of mobile units. Asselstine was also concerned about garbage. He suggested empty coffee cups and other debris from vendors could be scattered as far away as three blocks, based on his experience with other fast food restaurants. “That puts costs back on the town” for clean-up.
Councillor Ken MacVicar applauded Pritchard and suggested the change be known as the “Pritchard amendment”. He said Pritchard had been successful in once again forcing council to prohibit mobile vending.
Mayor Susan Samson concurred with the rest of council. She stated they’d “clearly heart and felt the frustration. Council is deeply committed to the downtown and lakeshore.”
Plante raised the issue of the windshield repair tent set up in Sobey’s parking lot and was told the current bylaw allows that type of mobile business south of the tracks.
“So it’s okay to compete south of the railway but not north of the track?” he questioned. “That seems like a double standard.”
Plante and McIntyre initially stated the mobile vending prohibition should apply throughout town.
But when MacVicar said Farmers’ Market vendors selling fresh fruit compete directly with No Frills and Sobeys, McIntyre stated the Farmers’ Market is a separate issue.
“People come in on Friday and set up in competition with others, let’s not get crazy,” advocated MacVicar. “We can keep it the way it is with regard to the other side of the tracks.”
Samson questioned what McIntyre meant when a truck selling Taber corn set up on the edge of town it wouldn’t be allowed. He agreed that was the case. And the windshield guy would be prohibited under McIntyre’s proposal.
“Let’s not jump on the bandwagon outlawing businesses until we take a look at what we’re doing,” argued MacVicar. “Currently we have a policy in place that’s served us quite well.”
Tim Schmidt, director of planning and development told councillors the town doesn’t hear complaints about those operating on the south side of the tracks.
Grimson, Plante and Asselstine all agreed to allow mobile vendors south of the tracks.
Following the discussion councillors unanimously agreed to send the bylaw back to staff for redrafting to prohibit mobile vendors north of the tracks.