Fork in the road for York Street as City of Albany council recommended to approve six-month market trial

The City of Albany council has been advised to support a six-month trial for a controversial marketplace on private property on York Street. In a report put to councillors ahead of next week’s Development and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting, city officers recommended council grant development approval for the market in a car park between Stirling Terrace and Peels Place subject to 16 conditions. The Forked on York proposal for a market and events space featuring rotating food trucks and stalls has caused a stir among surrounding business owners since it was released for public comment in August. According to the report, 26 responses were received during the public comment period, with 14 objecting to the proposal. The report states the main concerns raised during the public comment period were expected car parking deficiencies, concerns it would impact on existing businesses, concerns over the service of alcohol, and lack of toilet facilities. One resident said overlapping mobile food vendors with existing brick-and-mortar businesses would cause “carnage” on York Street. “Fantastic name for the project because that’s exactly what you’ll do to all the struggling small hospitality businesses within a 500m radius who don’t have the resources to successfully engage in it. They’ll be forked,” they said. Another resident said the proposal for food vans on York Street “would definitely have a negative impact” on established businesses. “This coming summer months will be a time for Albany businesses to recoup from what has been a devastating year,” they said. But 11 responses were received in support of Forked on York. One person said the promotion of the centre of Albany was in the interests of “all Albany citizens”. “Whether it be from the point of view of a more vibrant and interesting city centre, the option of a variety of food types, more employment for Albany people, better facilities for tourists, it can only be viewed as a positive,” they said. The officer’s report states the application was referred to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and the City’s heritage adviser who offered “no objections” to the proposal. The 16 conditions included operating hours being limited to 11am to 2pm on Monday to Saturday, and 6pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights — unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the City. Vendors would be limited to serving food and non-alcoholic beverages and selling regional produce, unless agreed to in writing. Only six vendors would be allowed to operate at one time with seating numbers restricted to 20. The officer report said the planning application system did not allow for consideration of financial impacts on other businesses.