Belleville Council has agreed to streamline the process for local businesses to apply for temporary outdoor patios this summer.
Councillors approved a clearly laid out framework for those patios on Monday, including rules around functionality, furniture, fences and plants, and additional features, which should shorten the turnaround time for applications to about a week, if all of the conditions are met.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk says the new framework helps build on momentum gained by local business owners last summer, especially those in the Downtown District.
“Not just restaurants and bars, but also other businesses were able to go out onto the sidewalk. That’s part of what we envisioned when we made that $35 million investment in downtown, to be able to give more life and to be able to give more creativity. I think the message we’re sending is we liked what we saw and we want it to continue for the benefit of our residents moving forward.”
Last year, seven businesses in the city operated temporary patios and council has approved those again for this coming summer, as long as they meet the new requirements.
Councillor Garnet Thompson had raised an issue about there being enough space for people with mobility issues to still be able to use the sidewalks, but he was assured that is being considered in the rules.
