The city is looking at easing regulations that would make London a more food truck friendly place.
A staff report going to the Community and Protective Services Committee on Tuesday recommends lifting the cap on the number of food trucks allowed to operate within the city.
Under restrictions put in place during the pilot project, only eight food trucks are permitted. Currently there are three operating in London. However, city staff say the cap has limited the amount of interest as entrepreneurs don't want to cough up the money for a vehicle, prepare it for service only to find there are no licenses available.
"We would probably see more people wanting to make that significant investment if we moved forward with the recommendations," says Councilor Mo Salih. "I do think part of the pieces we had in the pilot project make it hard for some people to want to fully engage in the process and go ahead and make that significant investment. So I think once we have something that works for the majority then you are going to see more interest."
Concerns voiced by brick and mortar restaurants over food trucks during the intitial debate never came to fruition. There have been no complaints filed with the city against operators since the trucks began to roll in April.
The recommendation also calls for an annual flat fee of $1,095 for parking, so that food truck operators can focus on their customers instead of worrying about feeding the meters on the street.
Salih believes the average Londoner would prefer council spend the bulk of its time on bigger ticket items, such as the new multi-year budget.
"It is important that we figure it out and do it right, but I don't want to spend a significant amount of time on it. It is something we should be able to get through faster, because we have had lengthy conversations on something that ultimitly is just a food truck," says Salih. "They are all important but I think we need to be mindful of that and make sure we do what Londoners want us do to and find a fair balance that works for everyone."
Londoners will be able to have their say on the proposed amendments to food trucks at a public participation meeting being held prior to the committee meeting.