Toronto council cut through some of the red tape controlling the city's food truck industry on Tuesday after voting in favour of allowing the vehicles to park closer to brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Councillors voted 43-1 on Tuesday to reduce the buffer-zone between food trucks and restaurants from 50 metres to 30. The lone vote was cast by Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti, who called the food vehicles "monster trucks" during Tuesday's debate. Every other councillor, however, applauded the change, noting it was time Toronto caught up with other cities.
"Every other city is doing it. I see it in Vancouver, food trucks right up on the boulevard, right beside busy patios," Coun. Mary-Margaret McMahon told CTV Toronto following the vote. "You know what, if you’re running a good restaurant, you have nothing to fear."
McMahon's sentiments were also echoed outside the walls of City Hall, where many residents felt Tuesday's decision was a win-win for everyone.
"It adds options. It adds more options for these guys to make revenue. So everybody kind of wins" one food-truck customer said.
Tuesday's new 30-metre rule is a compromise between food truck owners, who originally pushed for no barrier, and restauranteurs who argued the trucks are potential threats to their businesses.
Council also voted on Tuesday to allow food truck vendors to park in "pay-and-display" spots on collector streets, and to stay there for up to five hours.
The new food-truck rules take effect May 14.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
