Restaurateurs convince council to pause new food truck policy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/02/2022 (1219 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Council slammed the brakes on a plan that would have dramatically eased food truck regulations in Steinbach, pledging to revisit the issue at a later date involving consultation with local restaurant owners.

Council had directed administration to work on planning policy to ease restrictions which are described as among the most onerous of comparable communities.

That instruction, which among other regulation changes would have changed the distance food trucks can operate from an established restaurant from 122 metres to 10 metres and allowed non-motorized food units on public sidewalks in some cases, attracted the ire of several local restaurants.

Bryan Bartel, owner of MJ’s Kafe wrote to council to object to the still developing policy.

In his December letter he said the food truck bylaws were written to protect Steinbach brick and mortar restaurants because they pay property taxes, employ local residents, support local charities and are foundational entities for cultural identity and catalysts for social interaction.

“I find it inconceivable a food truck will be allowed to set up within 10 metres of any brick and mortar restaurant and siphon off customers either by selling the same menu items or by providing an alternative selection by being so close to an already existing restaurant,” he wrote.

He added the timing couldn’t be worse as restaurants are still “running a race with no finish line” as they’ve faced wave after wave of COVID restrictions.

“As you can imagine the fatigue I and other restaurant owners have felt, has been great and the endless replanning has taken its toll all in the effort to keep our businesses alive,” the letter said.

Bartel called on council to meet with restaurant owners from Steinbach to hear their stories. “Instead of coming alongside it truly feels like council is handing an anchor to a drowning person,” he wrote.

Suke Koeuth, owner of Chicken Chef also submitted a letter in December to council, saying he found the changes in policy “troubling”.

“There is no secret that the past two years have been extremely trying on local restaurants,” he said. “The pandemic has seen us close down our dining rooms three times, the last shutdown being just before Mother’s Day. Under current restrictions, we can only operate our dining rooms if we ask patrons to share their personal medical decisions with us.”

Koeuth added current regulations seem fair, and that there should be an advantage to being a property owner in the community.

He said Summer in the City, a time when food trucks are given free reign on Main Street is the right time and place despite the loss in revenue for him.

Wes and Jo Unger, owners of Dairy Queen also submitted a letter.

They too pointed to the contribution local restaurants make to the community and questioned the proposed distance regulations.

“To allow these food trucks to set up shop during peak hours, 10 metres from restaurants who have significant investment in this city, is not benefitting our city’s commerce in any way,” they wrote.

While Tuesday’s Strategic Priorities Committee featured the proposed policy on the agenda, councillors did not spend any time discussing it, other than to explain why they’re listening to those opposed.

Coun. Susan Penner said she recognizes how hard it would be for restaurant owners.

“I can see from the restaurant’s side of things where it would be very unfortunate for a food truck to pull up relatively close to a business,” she said.

Coun. Michael Zwaagstra agreed and said the timing of such a policy change is problematic. However, he said the issue will need to be addressed in the future, pledging to work with local restaurants.

“In the long run I think it would make sense to revisit this but let’s make more of an effort to proactively at least consult some of the restaurants,” he said. “The time will come where we do have to modify the bylaw because we are more restrictive than most other cities when it comes to food trucks under the existing bylaw.”

Mayor Earl Funk said he also spoke to additional restaurant owners who had not submitted letters, and he realizes the timing couldn’t be any worse.

“I think it’s best to put this on the shelf,” he said, adding assembling a panel to look at the issue would be advisable.