By Katie Turner | Metro News
More food trucks are likely to roll on to Calgary streets this summer with city council set to review the results of a lengthy pilot project.
The food truck pilot project is drawing to a close after beginning in August 2011, and city officials have drafted a bylaw that would allow more trucks to launch as soon as August of this year.
Keith Pallister, chief license inspector with the city, said council is expected to review a draft bylaw for food trucks on July 29, and if approved, the current cap of 40 trucks would be lifted, potentially creating more competition.
“Calgary seemed to have a lot of interest, a lot of people that really like them,” he said, adding the city has had consistent inquires about launching food trucks.
“I would imagine that the market is going to dictate who’s going to be successful or not.”
James Boettcher, founder of YYC Food Trucks, currently works with 20 of the city’s trucks, and said he sees the potential addition of new trucks as an incentive for existing trucks to create the best products they can.
“I think there’s a lot of people that are actually in a holding pattern in terms of getting in to the industry and they’re actually at a slight advantage because they’ve got to see what business looks like prior to investing in it,” he said.
“The cream will rise to the top; I think the best trucks will succeed.”
Details:
- The proposed by law would still include “no-roll zones” in certain Business Revitalization Zones such as Kensington and 17 Avenue.
- Trucks would also be prevented from parking within 25 metres of a brick-and-mortar restaurant, unless they receive the restaurants consent.
- Pallister said the city is planning to host one more open house before the proposed bylaw comes before council.
http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/670776/food-truck-review-could-bring-more-street-eats-to-calgary/
