Changes to Sechelt's mobile vendor program, including earlier application processing, are in the works.
An Oct. 25 committee of the whole unanimously endorsed staff recommendations to undertake a program update, which includes a Dec. 1 submission deadline for 2024 applications, with the intention of confirming successful applicants prior to the winter break.
Staff are to engage in public consultation and provide a report to council, contemplating long-term multi-year leases, rotating vendors week to week and overnight parking at display areas. Many of these are asks that have come forward from current vendors, according to an agenda staff report.
Sechelt Mayor John Henderson asked if there would be enough time to implement the engagement program’s recommendations before the 2024 season begins.
Corporate officer Kerianne Poulsen clarified, “The intention would be to have a longer engagement process so that the community can be well informed about what we're looking for them to comment on, and then prepare changes for the bylaw with the intention of the changes being implemented for the following [2025] season.”
This means that the 2024 mobile vending season will proceed according to the current bylaw, with the exception of the timeline moving up to December.
Coun. Dianne McLauchlan said the current mobile vending system is mostly centered in Sechelt proper and she would like their range to extend to other areas of the lower Sunshine Coast. “I think there's more offerings from other neighbouring municipalities and so I'd like to see more variety.”
Coun. Brenda Rowe asked if part of the consultation will include adding new vendor locations.
Poulsen answered that the engagement program includes the potential for expanding and changing the configuration of existing display areas and the potential for new sites.
Poulsen added that the Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization is midway through an assessment of mobile vending across the Sunshine Coast, and that the results and recommendations from that report will be included along with the public engagement results.
McLauchlan added that consultation should involve residents who live along the esplanade near where vendors operate, saying it is important to maintain the beauty of the Coast. “I don't know many places that have allowed vendors to obstruct their waterfront views, I don't know any. So I would really guard against that.”
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
