Yorkton Council approves ‘food truck’ buffer

YORKTON - Yorkton Council considered whether there needed to be a mandated separation for mobile vendors and competing ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses at its regular meeting May 12.

Michael Eger – Director of Planning, Building & Development, with the city said the issue was raised in a complaint related to an event at City Centre Park, where food trucks were parking on Livingstone Street, directly in front of the restaurants in York City Plaza.

On May 12, Eger said it needs to be determined if a buffer is warranted.

“The issue relates to whether buffering or physical separation distance should be required between mobile vendors and other uses. The current bylaw technically has wording which could allow the Business License Inspector to take action against this. “The City reserves the right to demand the removal, or relocation of any Vendor Unit where it is found that the location in any way impedes pedestrian or vehicular traffic or their safety, causes disruption to any nearby business establishment, or is otherwise in contravention of this bylaw”,” he said.

“However, this statement lacks specificity.”

Eger said what is done in other cities varies greatly, adding administration was suggesting a 35-metre buffer.

Looking at the complaint and using that as an example, a buffer of 35 metres from the customer entrances of the building would prevent food trucks from setting up in that location, but still allow them within the park itself or further down the street.

The separation requirement would not be limited just to food vendors, but other types of mobile vendors as well.

However, Council after passing first and seconds reading of the bylaw amendments decided broader feedback was needed, leaving the final decision until its next meeting, affording time for public input.

The third reading was back before Council at its regular meeting June 3.

Citing no additional information was forthcoming city administration recommended final passing of the amendments.

Council concurred with third reading with only Councillor Stephanie Ortynsky opposed.