The City of Barrie is exploring new ways to help local eateries in their time of trouble.
The Patios Everywhere Program, considered by Barrie council during their general committee meeting on Monday night, is a plan by the city to waive fees until Oct. 15 for patios across the city this summer, and to allow patios to expand into parking lots.
City staff are hoping the move will make it easier for local eateries hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic to bounce back once they’re allowed to re-open their doors, while still creating a safe, socially distanced space for their patrons to enjoy a meal.
“As warmer weather and patio season approaches, the use of patios is being explored as a way in which to distribute restaurant capacity while meeting physical distancing measures, thus allowing restaurants to re-open dine in services once restrictions have been eased by the provincial government,” Michelle Banfield, the city's director of development services, wrote in her report to council.
The program also suggests waiving fees for food trucks until Oct. 15, allowing them to use a dedicated location in the Chase McEachern Way parking lot.
According to the staff report, if a 50-patron restaurant exists today in conformity with the zoning bylaw, that restaurant could spread the 50 patrons out between inside and the patio provided parking is maintained. If the patio encroaches on parking spaces, overall restaurant capacity would need to be reduced.
The report estimates that if the programs were to get the rubber stamp from council at their meeting next week, about 20 to 30 previously issued patio licences for this summer (total ranging between $4,725 and $7,088) would need to be refunded.
The actual cost to the municipality would depend on the uptake, but the normal fees for the services per restaurant are:
- full site-plan approval: $1,058.58
- the cost of a patio licence: $236.25
- Refreshment vehicles – motorized: $236.25
- New LCBO application fee: $50
Restaurants owners who want to have a patio this summer would still need to apply to the program with proper plans in place.
If you own a local eatery and have questions or would like help with the application process, email [email protected].
