The town of Smithers is asking residents for feedback on its new mobile vendor bylaw.
Earlier this year, town staff brought forward the proposed bylaw for the application and permitting process for mobile restaurants and vendors to operate on public highways or town-owned properties.
The new bylaw intends to streamline the mobile vending process and make permitting clearer and easier to understand for both applicants and town staff.
The new bylaw was created to provide clarity and support to mobile vendors and mobile restaurants looking to operate in the town, while also supporting the distinction of markets to protect existing brick-and-mortar restaurants.
The idea for a new vending bylaw started in late 2022 when the owners of Sum Shockin’ Good Food Truck wrote a letter to Smithers council asking to park a couple of times a month in the arena parking lot; Chandler Park and at the museum.
Council went with an idea from town staff to approve their request to operate at those locations for 2023 while also modifying a business bylaw to give a senior member of staff the power to authorize when they can set up.
This was meant to be a temporary measure until a new mobile vendor bylaw could be created.
Now, this new draft bylaw identifies a list of pre-approved designated mobile vending and mobile restaurant locations within municipal boundaries, strategically selected as high-interest areas based on previous mobile vending approved locations or enquiries.
Each location identified may have a designated operating location with a specific number of spots available for mobile units to “rent” for their one-year business licence period. The specific dates and mobile vending spots must be booked in advance.
According to the online survey, these spots on town-owned property were carefully selected so as not to block any building entrances/exits or accessible parking spaces, are within the appropriate building and property line setbacks, and are strategically selected as high-interest areas based on previous mobile vending approved locations or enquiries.
The bylaw requires coordination between event organizers for special events at Chandler Park and staff review of mobile vendor permits. No mobile vendors may book sites within Central Park on Farmer’s Market days. This will be done through the Special Event organizer.
The town is now asking people for their thoughts on it through an online survey.
The survey is open until April 10.
There will also be a community drop-in on April 10 from 4 - 7 p.m. at town hall during which interested parties can learn more.