Food truck owners are in a better mood this morning thanks to new food truck rules drafted yesterday by the Licensing and Standards Committee at City Hall. A number of changes were made to the controversial city staff report that will make it easier for food trucks to serve up fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches and gourmet cupcakes next to the sidewalk on bustling city streets.

Key revisions made to the staff report include:

• Removal of the controversial BIA provision meaning local councillors and BIAs can no longer block food trucks from operating within their neighbourhood boundaries.
• Removal of the two truck limit for the number of food trucks allowed to park on a single block.
• An extension from 3 to 5 hours for the length of time a food truck can operate in a parking spot.

While food truck owners were overall very happy with the changes, there are still some components of the report that are less than ideal.

There was no movement on the recommended $5,000 licensing fee, and food trucks would still be required to park at least 50 metres away from a restaurant. But as Tom Antonarakis, owner of Buster's Sea Cove, told us at least the fee is manageable if food trucks are allowed to park street-side all across the city.

The report goes before City Council on April 1st and, if approved, will take effect this Spring.