The business bylaw has been adopted, ending a process that has been ongoing since October of last year.
“It’s taken a long time and there was some curves and some wrinkles in the path but we finally were able to adopt it and feel comfortable that we made some good decisions,” Mayor Cress Farrow said. “We feel very confident now that we can move forward with a strong business bylaw.”
The most vigorous of that discussion was around mobile restaurants and the distance they could operate from existing restaurants. In the end it was decided that a 30 metre operating restriction from existing restaurants and a two consecutive day per week in the same location clause would be added, effective January 1 for existing outlets.
In the process of adopting, the question of mobile vendors came up and the matter was sent back to discussion.
Mobile vendors will be able to operate within 30 metres of an established outlet selling similar items, however during special events such as the Main Street fair, this requirement will be waived, a change suggested by Councillor Lorne Benson and approved by the remainder of council.
The mobile vendor may only operate on private lands with the written consent of the property owner. Signage must also comply with Town policy. The two day policy also affects mobile vendors.
The fruit vendor, who moved from their location near Remax to Sears, had to move due to a zoning issue and not a business bylaw issue, Farrow said.
“That seems to be working at this point in time,” Farrow said.