Mobile food vendors will not be allowed to set up on one of Sylvan Lake’s most prominent corners.
Council approved changes to its mobile vending business and busking bylaw on Tuesday to take out the vacant corner at Centennial Street (50th St.) and Lakeshore Drive as a food vending spot.
Once the site of a historic hotel, which was torn down in 2002, the corner has remained vacant after proposed condominium and hotel projects stalled. Only an underground parkade was developed.
The parkade was covered up and the corner has been turned into a small grassed picnic area.
The town was considering opening the spot to larger food vendors, including trucks, but a structural assessment recommended upgrades to the underlying structures if heavier loads were to be allowed, said town communications officer Joanne Gaudet.
Instead, the site was taken off the vending map.
However, a food truck vending site just off the main street will be increased in size after the owner of Bonavista Art Studio agreed to allow food vending behind the business. It will be joined with a vacant lot at 5039 Centennial Street already set aside for food trucks.
First tried out as a pilot project last year, mobile vending has proven popular and council decided to continue the project. Food Truck Thursdays were also added this year.
Trucks were out for the first time last Thursday. It looks to be popular with six trucks turning out, said Gaudet. The trucks can set up between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Another food truck site is at 50A Ave. and Centennial Street and food carts will be allowed this year at two locations in Centennial Park. An artist plaza is located at the foot of the pier on the lakeshore.