City of Guelph holds open house to discuss food trucks

Guelph residents will get the chance to share their thoughts on food truck locationson Tuesday when the city holds an open house.

Theevent will focuson 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.

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The city is also testing two downtownlocations for a pilot project this summer, startingJune1 and going to September 30.

Jakki Prince, theowner of Sweet TemptationsCupcakery, will be attending the open house to share her thoughts. Prince sells cupcakes and icecreamfrom herfood 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 GuelphFarmers' 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, includeallowing food truckson 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 arethree food truck spaces available) and Surrey Street East (where there aretwo food truck spaces available).

Less red tape needed

Prince saidshe'd like to see anactive 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.