A request to set up a food trailer at the Aberfoyle Community Centre has drawn mixed results from councillors – especially since the township is in the midst of establishing a bylaw to regulate such operations in the municipality.
The request to operate a food trailer came from councillor Ken Roth – who declared a pecuniary interest at the beginning of the Sept. 18 meeting – and did not participate in council’s discussion on his request or the proposed bylaw.
In a letter to council, Roth sought permission to set up his food trailer on Township Property.
The idea was to be on site for ball, hockey and soccer tournaments or other outdoor events that are scheduled on weekends.
Roth stressed that “in consideration to the township or Optimist events, I would not be on site unless asked by the person in charge of coordinating an event.”
Council accepted the request and asked staff come back with a report regarding what requirements might need to be met including approvals from Guelph Wellington Public Health, liability insurance and fees.
Councillor Susan Fielding expressed concern the request included “other” events.
She said if Roth’s request was approved – that the types of events be specifically set out.
Fielding stated that leaving it open could affect events such at the Aberfoyle Fall Fair or the local farmers market.
Councillor Wayne Stokley was also interested in determining the length of time permission was being sought for.
“Is this one year, one month or one season? Or is this for as long as he wants to maintain a trailer. I think we need to be more specific about the length of time.”
Stokley added that the township is currently looking at a mobile food services bylaw, both at council and at a public meeting later this year.
“Do we need to follow through on that first before we need to make this decision?”
CAO Karen Landry said that whatever requests are made up until now, would be treated within the township’s current framework of laws.
She added that if the licensing bylaw happens to pass within the next three months, they would be required to meet those obligations.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt said that in light of council’s current bylaw discussion “I think it would behoove us to wait on this (Roth’s request) until we have made a decision on the bylaw.”
Mayor Dennis Lever said the township’s food vendor bylaw may pass this year, or sometime next year.
“Right now this is an application based on the rules we have in place. Staff are still going to come back with a report.”
Landry compared this proposal to another pilot project considered by council earlier this year.
Council dealt with the matter on a specific request with staff reporting later on.
Council then accepted the request.
PROPOSED BYLAW
As the matter of the bylaw came before council later that night, the proposed public meeting date in mid-November was deferred.
The reason behind the change was that council wanted more information and possibly to expand the scope of the proposed bylaw.
Councillor Susan Fielding said the comparisons in the bylaw officer’s report used examples of Hamilton and Guelph.
“I would like to hear how smaller municipalities such as ourselves are doing – particularly in Wellington County.”
Landry said it was looked at but many smaller municipalities are not yet at the point of licensing food trailers.
Councillor Wayne Stokley said that he realized the licensing was for mobile food services, “But there are also some freestanding businesses which are not necessarily vehicles, but selling produce or food. This particular bylaw does not address this scenario.”
He asked council felt about this.
Stokley asked how the public would feel about licensing mobile operations as compared to other venues.
He said there may be other venues doing the same thing, but because they do not have wheels, would not fall under this bylaw.
Landry agreed the current proposed bylaw deals with mobile services – not those in a permanent location.
Those operations typically must meet the requirements of existing zoning bylaws, Landry explained.
“You cannot licence someone unless they are in compliance.”
She said some municipalities do licence restaurants and/or food vendors.
“It would be a similar framework, but some adjustments would need to be made.”
Stokley asked if staff should look into the issue and if that is something that council needs to address as well.
“I’m thinking the general population will see and overlap and compare the two (venues) and then ask how one group can operate without a license.”
Lever anticipated seeing a number of views from the public. He said there are food vendors within the farmers market as well.
He added that at the recent fall fair, there were facilities serving food.
Lever said he was asked if it was fair to ask a $200 licence fee for someone who is only in the township once a year, when that individual or group might only make $200 at the event.
Stokley said he would prefer to take the pro-active stance, to be better prepared to answer questions from the public.
Fielding said she originally thought this bylaw would also encompass all roadside stands.
“So I was a little surprised when I saw this draft.”
Schmidt said “I support the bylaw (idea), but I think it needs a little fine-tuning.”
