Sylvan Lake’s beach front area will remain free of hotdog stands and other mobile vendors.
Town council approved an updated business licensing bylaw on Monday that prohibits mobile vendors to an area north of the rail tracks between 40th and 53rd Streets, unless approval has been granted as part of a special event. Mobile vendors are also prohibited on public land.
Exceptions are made for businesses that travel to customers on appointment and to vendors operating outside the lakeshore area.
A number of local businesses spoke out strongly against the competition posed by mobile vendors and the garbage they create. Councillors agreed that local businesses should be supported.
The bylaw also prohibits rickshaws and pedicabs and provides updated licensing regulations for special events, pawn shops, secondhand stores and tourist homes.
Among the late changes that council made to the bylaw was to remove a ban on amplification for buskers.
Mayor Susan Samson said council decided the community’s nuisance bylaw was adequate to handle any noise complaints.
Steps to regulate escort agencies were originally proposed. But that proved controversial and council opted to address them separately. That will come back to council later.