Hamilton restaurants benefited from city's revised patio bylaw
Restaurants have been ground zero for the economic upheaval the coronavirus pandemic has wrought to their sector.
But one of the few things that Hamilton councillors have done to help preserve businesses' financial future has been allowing them to quickly install outdoor patios in roadways and parking lots to serve their eager customers. For instance, a restaurant didn't need a building permit to install a tent if it was up to 60 square metres and not attached to the structure and three metres from other buildings.
The extended patios have been a life saver," said Awnish Srivastava, president of Unique Restaurant Group, owner of Ancaster's Southcote 53 Tap and Grill, Stoney Creek's Powerhouse, and downtown's Pheasant Plucker.
We're fortunate to either have the space or have adjacent space that we have been allowed to use and that has helped us to build very large patios. It allowed us to do a very strong reopening."
Councillors have praised city officials and Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr who recommended the patio idea. Councillors approved the first temporary use bylaw for patios in Aug. 2020 until Dec. 2020. This year the bylaw was extended again for six months in June and councillors again extended the bylaw at their Aug. 13 council meeting to Dec. 31, 2021.
The last extension though, allowed commercial businesses such as retailers and fitness centres to install a tent or other structure on a parking space.
Jason Thorne, general manager of planning, said businesses still have to apply to the city for the patio extension, but there are no additional fees.
It is a simple process," he said.
About 150 businesses throughout the city took advantage of the bylaw, from Binbrook to Waterdown and from Ancaster to Dundas.
About 111 businesses have added patios on private property and 39 on city sidewalks.
A city survey found that of the 83 respondents who answered, 89 per cent said temporary outdoor patios were extremely important" to their businesses.
These extensions have been a godsend for them," said Flamborough Coun. Judi Partridge. Businesses have invested a lot of money, such as heaters, and reconfigured their buildings. I'm on for helping these businesses right across the city."
Partridge said depending upon how COVID-19 impacts the community, businesses could be in the same situation next year as well.
Glanbrook Coun. Brenda Johnson was initially reluctant to allow businesses to extend their patios. But after seeing them at work, she agreed they have benefited from them.
I agree with (Judi) it has been a godsend for them."
Mountain Coun. John-Paul Danko said he has received nothing but accolades" from customers and business owners for allowing the patios.
It has just been a huge success for the city," he said. It's been more of a success than anybody could image. Having dinner on one of these patios adds to the ambience and vibrancy of these communities. It's a tremendous success."
Planning Director Steve Robichaud, said before this pilot project continues, staff will examine if these revamped patios are causing any noise or other problems for residents. He said a report will be presented to councillors in the fall to determine if the program will be made permanent.
Sirvastava says there are still a significant" number of people unwilling to dine indoors because of fears of a fourth wave of COVID-19 and the delta variant and are more comfortable eating alfresco.
And for restaurant owners, there are still other potential problems facing them, including COVID-19 restrictions that continue to limit indoor dining to 25 people, enforcing mask requirements and physical distancing that is going to kill our industry."
We are forced into significant capacity limits as long as we need to continue to socially distance at tables," he said. For small footprints, it's a death sentence."