Even city hall doesn’t know reason for restaurant patio occupancy limit
London’s formula for calculating the maximum size of patios outside restaurants and bars is so longstanding that city staff are perplexed about its original intent.
On Monday, the Planning and Environment Committee (PEC) discussed permanently loosening municipal rules on patios that helped many restaurants and bars survive the pandemic.
However, a zoning bylaw that restricts the size of restaurant and bar patios will remain in place until city staff can do more research.
Currently, patios are limited to 50 per cent of the indoor capacity of the restaurant/bar, or 50 people — whichever is greater.
The zoning bylaw applies to both seasonal and permanent patios.
Coun. Stephen Turner asked staff why the limit was set at 50 per cent or 50 people.
Coordinator of Municipal Compliance Nicole Musicco replied that the decision predates her time working at city hall.
Twenty-one year city hall veteran Chief Building Official Peter Kokkoros admitted that he was also stumped.
“Similar to Ms. Musicco, that preceded my time at the city,” he told councillors on the committee. “It’s more hearsay than actual policy that I’ve come across.”
Kokkoros suggested, “During the summer months, that perhaps, half of the capacity of the indoor space was not really utilized, most people would prefer to sit outside, and therefore the inside would have potentially 50 percent less capacity than during the winter months.”
“I have concerns about it,” explained Turner. “There may very well be a reasonable explanation for why that number was chosen, but it seems arbitrary. It seems like it has the opportunity to be modernized.”
PEC members recommended council direct staff to research the rationale behind the limit and recommend an update to the zoning bylaw.
The committee did recommend providing new flexibility to seasonal patios temporarily set up in parking lots.
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) rules restrict temporary operation to eight months of the year.
The committee recommended lifting the mid-March to mid-November dates, allowing each establishment to choose its own eight month period.
The capacity would be set at 1.11 square meters per person, in line with the AGCO.
Council will consider the changes at its meeting on Oct. 17.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.