A zoning amendment bylaw to allow mobile vendors to set up on private property within the District of Sechelt will go to public hearing after receiving first reading at the April 20 council meeting.
"We haven't had a huge demand come forward for mobile vending, but I think this bylaw allows somebody to set up a barbecue in front of Gibsons Building Supplies or around some of the larger retail sites identified in the report," director of planning Ray Parfitt told councillors at their April 13 committee of the whole meeting.
The need for a zoning amendment bylaw became apparent after local mobile vendor Mary Bittroff was told she had to leave her location in front of Canadian Tire due to non-compliance with regulations laid out within the store's development permit.
She cried foul, saying there was nowhere else she could move to within the District of Sechelt. As a result, she was issued an extension to stay on site while a zoning amendment bylaw was investigated.
The proposed amendment has several conditions attached. The zoning bylaw states mobile vending is permitted as an accessory use in zones where seasonal outdoor market is a permitted use, where retail is a permitted use, provided the lot area is no less than half an acre, and on any municipally owned lands subject to the applicable municipal requirements.
It also states that mobile vending equipment is not allowed to stay on site overnight, that operators must provide sufficient garbage receptacles and daily garbage removal and that mobile vendors are only allowed on a lot where a washroom facility is available for customers.
The proposed bylaw will be scheduled for a public hearing soon.
Mayor Darren Inkster said he is keen to hear what the community has to say.
At the same committee of the whole meeting, councillors directed staff to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for mobile vendors wishing to operate at the Davis Bay and Trail Bay pier vending pads. Staff will bring the results of this RFP process back to council for their consideration at an upcoming meeting.
