(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Charlene Tebbutt

mobile food

City planning updates to mobile food vendor policy

Apr 22, 2019 | 4:46 PM

The city is updating its policies around food trucks and food carts as their popularity rises in Prince Albert and more and more people seek out mobile options for a quick and tasty meal.

City administration has been reviewing the city’s current mobile food vendor policy, which has been in place for a number of years. Craig Guidinger, director of planning and development with the city, said the new policy should make it easier for mobile operators to do business in P.A.

“Over the last number of years, we’ve continued to get inquiries about where they can be located, where they can’t be located, so we’re just trying to make things a little bit easier, it’s just another type of service we can provide,” Guidinger said. “There’s up to about a dozen different food trucks that have been inquiring about this process and we have included them on the suggestive amendments and they’re very supportive.”

The previous policy limited mobile food vendors to just a few areas around Prince Albert, a report to city council noted, including “the parking lot located next to the museum, at the intersection of River Street and Central Avenue. The parking lot located on the west side of Kinsmen Park Downtown, at metred parking stalls.” Food trucks were not allowed in parks or civic facilities under the old policy.

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The new policy, which is expected to be formally approved at council’s upcoming meeting April 29, will allow more than one food truck on the same block and within the same location. The new policy will also do away with the distance requirement between existing restaurants and food trucks that sell similar products, allowing them to operate directly in front of the business in some cases.

“We try to minimize conflicts with potential competing businesses,” Guidinger added. “So, if you want to locate a food truck directly in front of a similar type of restaurant, you would have to receive permission from the owner. Otherwise, you would have to locate a little bit further down the street.”

The new policy lists a variety of locations where food bikes could operate around the city once the new police is in place, including along the Rotary Trail and on residential roads, city-owned vacant lots, at the airport or any city facility or park. Food carts would also be allowed to operate in the same areas, with the exception of residential roads.

Mobile food trucks would be allowed to operate in the same areas, plus metered parking stalls in downtown Prince Albert.

The report notes the new policy will also address the current lack of food options at the local airport.

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt