Mobile food trucks won’t be setting up in Banff any time soon.
On Oct. 27, the planning and development department asked council for direction on whether to prepare a policy and regulations to allow a pilot program for mobile food trucks, but council decided against the move on a tied 3-3 vote.
“This is more of a nice to have than a need to have,” said Councillor Brian Standish. “It’s too far down the list to even do a pilot.”
Mayor Karen Sorensen said she would be interested in considering a pilot program.
“In areas where I have seen food trucks, it does add to the atmosphere and animation and vibrancy. I could envision it, but only with very well thought out restrictions and rules,” she said.
“How does it impact other businesses, because we know there would be a concern, and we would certainly need to know what Parks Canada thinks.”
With the exception of the Banff Farmers Market and authorized special events, mobile food trucks – like the seasonal ice cream bus in neighbouring Canmore – are currently banned in Banff.
The planning department has received a number of inquiries for people wanting to run food trucks in Banff, including one from a prominent local business and another from an out-of-town operator.
Randall McKay, Banff’s planning and development manager, said the popularity of food trucks has increased in recent years along with the interest in developing a more vibrant street food culture in Banff.
He said food trucks are distinct from push carts, towed cars and other retail vendors and are typically motorized vehicles with on board power, refrigeration, food preparation facilities and usually room for two to four employees.
“Local rules on where food trucks are permitted vary across the country. Some are restricted to private property, others to public property,” he said.
“Some communities ban food trucks altogether while others only allow them to stop when a customer flags the vehicle down.”
McKay said he anticipated work on a policy and legislation would be complex, and said there would be a need to seek Parks Canada’s input on whether mobile food trucks would fall within the commercial cap.
“I anticipate it isn’t (under the cap) because it’s temporary, but there may be some argument around that,” he said.
Sorensen and Councillors Corrie DiManno and Chip Olver voiced support for pilot, but councillors Grant Canning, Ted Christensen and Brian Standish were opposed. Coun. Stavros Karlos was absent from the meeting.
