Newmarket moves forward on food truck pilot plan

Yorkregion.com
March 30, 2016
By Chris Simon

If they park there, food lovers will come.

That’s the philosophy behind Newmarket’s proposed food truck pilot program, which could be endorsed by council next week. In an effort to entice residents to Fairy Lake, the town plans to allow up to two food trucks to dock near the parking lot just south of Water Street, beginning later this year. The town would install a granular surface and if the pilot is successful, it could be converted to a hard concrete, multi-use pad in the future.

“This mini-cluster approach enables a wider attraction and variety to patrons,” community services commissioner Ian McDougall said in a report to council.

“There are space considerations… that result in limiting it to up to two trucks as well as being sensitive to the balance of Fairy Lake being a passive park/trail while offering some level of enhanced services to users. In addition… there is parking available in the event people were to drive to the destination to enjoy a food truck dining experience in a park setting.”

The town launched a similar pilot in 2013, which ran Mondays to Fridays at four rotating locations in town - Riverwalk Commons, Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, Hollingsworth Arena and Fairy Lake. At that time, only Wickedly Sinful truck owner Andrew Tedford chose to participate. A few weeks ago, he asked councillors to launch a second pilot.

Tedford hoped space would be allocated at Riverwalk this time, as well, but a town bylaw bars food trucks from setting up within the area - though there are exemptions made during the Newmarket Farmers’ Market.

“We’re not a franchise,” he said at the time.

“It’s a small business. But the industry has outperformed all food service sectors in the last five years. This location provided us with good visibility and there was ample parking. There is a demand; food tourism is a rapidly emerging market. We would like to see a greater freedom (for) the growing generation of food entrepreneurs in Newmarket. Help shape this evolving food culture.”

However, some worry the matter is being rushed through council and suggest a lack of public consultation over the matter is ‘unfair’ to local businesses.

Newmarket’s Main Street District Business Improvement Area members were not consulted over the proposal, even though many downtown restaurants are within walking distance of the food truck site and stand to lose revenue, BIA chair Glenn Wilson said.

“The restaurants down here should have been given a forum to express their concerns or delight,” he said, acknowledging a phone call from The Era was the first time he’d heard specific details of the proposal.

“That’s inconsiderate to our restaurants. Let’s see how they feel about it. They’re the ones that have a financial vested interest in the street. They’ve put their money where their mouth is and set up in a bricks and mortar situation, not a transient food truck. If they’re going to set up day in, day out to capture the park goers, that’s unfair to the restaurants.”

Wilson says the pilot has potential to draw people to the downtown core, a benefit that could have positive, long-term implications on BIA businesses.

“Having more diverse food creates excitement and an event atmosphere,” he said.

“There’s definitely positives that could possibly come out of this. I’m just a little surprised the BIA wasn’t consulted or advised of it.”

Staff also asked council members to allow trucks to set up along Cane Parkway, adjacent to Fairy Lake Park, but the idea was shot down after councillors expressed concerns over the lack of available parking in the area.

“(Tedford) thought the only viable place was Riverwalk; I’m worried about going to locations that we don’t know are viable,” Regional Councillor John Taylor said.

“I’m not anti-food truck; I actually love the idea. (But) I have my doubts. In both these cases, I wonder about the viability of the location.”

Taylor says the town should consider allowing food trucks to set up regularly at Magna Centre.

As part of the plan, annual, seven-day-per-week permits would likely be offered.

Council members also posed some questions surrounding large-scale community events at the park, which often bring in their own food vendors.

That issue can be worked out through consultation with event organizers, prior to the issuing of the food truck permits, McDougall said.

“This is what people want,” Councillor Dave Kerwin said.

“We should give it a chance. These things are very popular in every city.

“This is a progressive piece of legislation that provides our citizens with a better opportunity for food during the day.”