A letter signed by London Mayor Matt Brown and Ward 7 Councillor Josh Morgan is pressing city staff for a new report on food trucks.
The last council considered amending a bylaw to allow food trucks on city property, but after numerous reports and meetings, it was defeated by a one-vote margin at a vote held in May 2014.
Concerns raised by established downtown restaurants were a large reason why plans were scuttled, but it looks like the debate is set to return to city hall.
Morgan says, "I don't think this is a can of worms, this is a discussion that had a robust public debate and during the campaign a lot of us heard that the previous council got this wrong."
The letter asks that proposed amendments to the Business Licensing Bylaw be submitted at a Feb. 18 meeting of the Community and Protective Services Committee.
The changes would add to the bylaw regulations and include:
- updated business licensing administration and enforcement
- regulations and fees for refreshment vehicles on city property, including distances from restaurants, residential areas, special events and schools
- conditions related to health and safety, signage, waste collection and parking space payment
- requirement for administration to report back in the fall on the number of licences and other issues as part of the pilot program
These changes could bring a highly-anticipated food truck pilot project to city streets after years of debate.
Christ Bunting of The Goodah Gastrotruck says it's not about competing for limited food dollars, "Our intent is not to take someone's piece of the pie, it's to grow th epic. People want reasons to come downtown and do different things and food trucks can be a part of that."
Currently food trucks are restricted to operating on private property, and an amended bylaw would allow them to move around to some metered spots in the city.
