The signs read: Bylaws kill dreams, Save the Soylent Green and Muni fix this now. Last Saturday, July 28, a group of Bowen Islanders came out to show their support for Jenelle Jamison who operates the Soylent Green trailer that sells organic fruit smoothies, green smoothies, hot drinks, vegan treats and shaved ice in Snug Cove. In response to a notice from the Municipal Bylaw Officer that informed Jamison that she had to close Soylent Green due to a restriction imposed by the land use bylaw, she organized a rally and gathered 267 signatures on a petition and 40 letters in support of her business.
Councillor Tim Rhodes was among the people who showed up on Saturday. He said, "I think this was an unintended consequence of a bylaw. When they worked on the bylaw, I don't think anyone envisioned something like Soylent Green." Rhodes mentioned that food carts are a major tourist attraction in Vancouver and sees closing Soylent Green as a step backwards. "It's a charming little place and it has a huge amount of community support. So I think the bylaw rightfully needs to be reviewed with respect to commercial use," he said.
The efforts of Jamison and her supporters bore fruit when council held a special meeting on July 31 and decided not to enforce the land use bylaw with respect to the commercial use of trailers. In a press release, the municipality states that "council requests the Advisory Planning Commission and Economic Development Advisory Committee to make recommendations to council on the use of trailers and commercial food service vehicles for commercial purposes." In addition to looking at commercial food service, council also discussed the restrictions in the land use bylaw relating to commercial guest accommodations.
After the council meeting, councillor Alison Morse explained that the section of the land use bylaw referring to trailers was in the original land use bylaw and had been carried over. "It was in there because we didn't want people living in trailer parks," she said.
Rhodes said that council asked the land use bylaw to be reviewed specifically with respect to commercial use in trailers or food service vehicles. "Personally, I would like to see the whole land use bylaw be reviewed because I think that there are a lot of issues like this buried that we need to address proactively rather than reactively." Rhodes added that this is a big project but it is something the Advisory Planning Commission could take on. "It is demanding of staff time and planning time even in the committee setting but it needs to be done and it's certainly appropriate to do that after you revise your OCP (Official Community Plan)," he said.
Jamison said she was grateful for the crowd that showed up on Saturday. "I really didn't know what toexpectat the rally, and Iam amazed by the community support. I loved the energy and it felt like being part of ahuge family," she said. "I am thankful to everyone who came down. Looking at the photos of that day brings a smile to my face. There are children as young as one and a half years old who care that I am here on the island, serving their favourite green smoothies. How cute is that?"
Even though Jamison gets a mixture of customers, she says that it is the younger crowd that "loves shaved ice and will come rain or shine."
Jamison also sees the community support as an indication that Bowen Islanders make an effort to eat healthily. "There is a growingawarenesstowards healthy living. And it is my wish to continue serving a healthy alternative on the island.Once you embark on a healthy organic diet, it's really hard to turn back," she said. "I am working hard to provide thehighestquality, and the most tasty organic products while keeping the price reasonable."
Jamison added that the support hasn't let up. "My first day back in the trailer after the 'OK' [from the municipality] was just as incredible as the rally. So many of the supporters stopped by to give me high-fives and congrat's. I am forever grateful to all of them. I wouldn't be here, if it weren't for them sticking up for me."
