City of Guelph holds open house to discuss food trucks
Two downtown locations for food trucks have been proposed
Guelph residents will get the chance to share their thoughts on food truck locations on Tuesday when the city holds an open house.
The event will focus on proposed changes to the city's food truck zoning bylaw, which would permit food trucks to operate on public and private property in certain zones, such as parks and commercial areas.
The city is also testing two downtown locations for a pilot project this summer, starting June 1 and going to September 30.
Jakki Prince, the owner of Sweet Temptations Cupcakery, will be attending the open house to share her thoughts. Prince sells cupcakes and ice cream from her food truck, Sprinkle, year-round.
"Being a part of the conversation is the best way for me to be involved in articulating what I think would be the best framework for the city," Prince said. "But also to establish and solidify the community of food truck enthusiasts in Guelph."
Bylaw changes June 1
Before August last year, only coffee trucks and hot dog stands were allowed, no other food trucks.
Beginning in August 2015, the bylaw was amended to allow:
- Ice cream trucks on residential streets.
- Food trucks in industrial and commercial areas, outside of the city core.
- Food trucks could operate in the Guelph Farmers' Market parking lot and in front of the market up to Carden Street, while the market was open.
Proposed new changes to the bylaw, which would start on June 1, include allowing food trucks on public and private property in certain zones, such as commercial areas and parks
As well, the city will be doing a pilot project allowing food trucks in two downtown locations: Wyndham Street North (where there are three food truck spaces available) and Surrey Street East (where there are two food truck spaces available).
Less red tape needed
Prince said she'd like to see an active trial period in the downtown core.
"I think the city has been very cautious about how they're going to implement food trucks in the downtown core," she said.
"It would mean a lot to us as small business to have less bureaucracy and less red tape, so to speak, for where and how we can use our truck," Prince said. "Unless we try it out in some small way, we'll never have any feedback and see how it works for our downtown."
Prince said she thinks city staff and council have been supportive of the bylaw changes so far and she hopes they continue to be.
"It's a huge investment as a small business and it's a huge risk we've taken to better the community and to create and to foster that amazing community spirit that Guelph has," Prince said.