No joke, Barrie’s patio season begins April 1.
Councillors gave initial approval Monday night to a motion that both the Downtown BIA Patio Program and the Patios Everywhere Program run from April 1 to Nov. 30 this year, with any city fees associated with them waived for 2021.
Exceptions would be to accommodate any Dunlop Streetscape deficiency repairs and snowfalls that might require patio removal.
The Patios Everywhere Program is intended to address patios which are outside the BIA and city centre. Patio use distributes restaurant capacity while meeting physical distance measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s going to feel like patio weather Tuesday and Wednesday this week,” Mayor Jeff Lehman said. “Normally, we wouldn’t be talking about this at all except for COVID.
"It’s not just the opportunity to create additional capacity for the entire restaurant sector, that’s able to take advantage of this by literally expanding their facility, but also to allow people to dine safely as we move through the pandemic, and to get such an early start on it," he added.
Lehman said he did notice a patio open Feb. 27, on private property, as part of the establishment.
“It just goes to show you there are people in Barrie who will sit on a patio when it’s only a few degrees above zero, if it’s nice and sunny and the food and drink is there, “ he said.
The motion was also amended to include food trucks.
City staff would be given delegated authority to issue permits under the Patios Everywhere Program to food trucks, including determining the application process, operating criteria and to work with other operational departments to establish designated spots for these vehicles.
“Maybe we won’t get any food trucks at all, but at least this gives them a path forward so that they can participate this summer,” said Coun. Clare Riepma.
Coun. Keenan Aylwin, who represents the downtown, asked about location and what the food trucks would serve.
“(There’s) a concern raised by some business owners that food trucks could be competition for longstanding local businesses,” he said, “and I would hate to see us with the situation where the food tricks are coming in to an established business community and directly competing with businesses that are already struggling.
“Is that going to be a consideration? Will you be considering the potential impact on nearby business?”
City staff said those impacts would be considered.
Lehman said he’s had the same questions and concerns about distance from an existing restaurant and similarity of the product, but still supports food trucks.
“There are some very creative chefs in some of those (food) trucks and some very unique food products that are really only offered from the trucks,” he said. “Located appropriately, where they’re not going to be in direct competition, I think they will make a nice addition.”
The patios programs and food truck motions are part of the city’s economic recovery action plan update.
These motions will be considered for final approval at the March 22 city council meeting.
