Council voted to allow a food truck at the Picton Marina at its Planning and Development Committee meeting April 16. 

It will amend the zoning at the Picton Marina at 1 Head Street, the site of the Picton Harbour boat launch, the municipal fuelling station and public washrooms, to re-allow food trucks, but likely just one.

The site was previously zoned to allow mobile food operations, but that zoning had lapsed. The amendment adds a mobile restaurant as a temporary permitted use until 2028.

Albert Paschkowiak, Environmental Services & Sustainability Supervisor, said a food truck was one response to Council’s call for improvements to the Picton Marina operations in 2026.

Councillor Brad Nieman wondered about space, considering vehicle and trailer parking is at a premium at the site.

Mr. Paschkowiak said best efforts would be made to station a single food truck or cart so it didn’t impinge on parking. While the zoning allows for multiple mobile food trucks, the Supervisor told Council he expects only one will be granted permission due to the size of the site. 

The municipality will call for Expressions of Interest in the coming days.

Mayor Steve Ferguson and Councillor Phil St-Jean wondered what impact the mobile food operation would have on competing eateries in Picton. 

Mr. Paschkowiak said the idea was that a food truck at the Marina would offer quick and easy on-the-go food options.

“Something small, such as a sausage cart, supporting boaters who are just interested in coming in for gas, maybe grabbing a quick bite, and not interested in leaving the marina to go visit the other locations,” Mr. Paschkowiak said. 

“I don’t see this as something that takes away from the larger dining establishments that offer different levels of fare.”