On August 8, Cochrane council unanimously voted on a resolution to allow food trucks back on the streets with some restrictions.

Cochrane's two approved food trucks 'Grilled' and 'Awko Taco' will have more flexibility when choosing where to set up business.

Last week the trucks were temporarily restricted from parking on town streets after administration received complaints.

An error/miscommunication about where food trucks could park occurred on the administration side as an updated permit was never issued.

Cochrane council recently received a fair amount of feedback from community members favouring the pilot to run it's course until the end of October.

Cochrane Councillor Mary Lou Davis Eckmeier says it's important to maximize the opportunity of the pilot project.

"Hopefully the pilot is long enough to determine an effective and profitable implementation. Not going far enough in the pilot would leave us wondering what if?"

Being a previous business owner herself, and understanding what it is like to have similar stores in close proximity; Eckmeier states,"fair competition builds business".

Grilled operator/owner Darcy Scott was thrilled with the news.

"I think we have come along way in 12 days, and everybody knows a lot more about the project and the pilot program. I am excited for Cochrane, excited for food trucks in Cochrane. I think this is positive and brought to the forefront of everyone in town. I am very happy with the decision."

Scott adds he doesn't believe he is competition, instead, he offers another alternative to hungry Cochranites.

"I don't see it as competition, people ask me if I am upset that there is another food truck in town? I think more is better it is like a food court in a mall. I think we add to the foot traffic, especially in the downtown area and that benefits everybody."

The food trucks will now be allowed to park on streets with the following stipulations:

  • Not allowed on First Street West
  • Not allowed in any angled parking spot in town
  • Not allowed in more than one parking stall
  • Within 25m of an existing restaurant
  • Within 10m of a stop line, intersection or crosswalk
  • Within 100m of a school site

 At the end of October all data will be compiled from the pilot; council will then vote on what future operations will look like for mobile food vendors.

To see how we got here...

READ MORE:

TOC Gathers Food Truck Data