Initial council support for outdoor patios downtown

Posted June 12, 2012

Victoria Street sidewalks are not wide enough to accommodate pedestrian traffic and and a fully functional sidewalk cafe.

To get around that, Mike Jerry, Chair of the Alliston Business Improvement Association (ABIA), has requested council approve a "pilot project" that would utilize two parking spaces to fit an outdoor patio.

Mr. Jerry said the project is modelled after the Barrie BIA's similar treatment along Dunlop Street.

"A recent trend in urban communities that are challenged by sidewalk and street width issues is to allow parking spaces to be used as patios as a means of augmenting the public ground," said Mr. Jerry. "People enjoy being outside this time of year. They enjoy being seen, and hence an obvious opportunity to provide for additional revenue for our ABIA members and enhance the landscape of our downtown."

He noted part of the BIA mandate was to provided amenities that draw people to the core, and sidewalk cafes are deemed to be magnets.

"They allow active indoor uses to spill out into the public and provide a valued amenity for pedestrians. They also generate a significant revenue opportunity to support businesses not in the hospitality business, but through the proximity and increased traffic," said Mr. Jerry. "These patios create an additional outdoor amenity space without congesting the sidewalk. Each patio is portable, and is to be constructed and maintained by the proprietor as curbside seating platforms. The town and ABIA will control the look and feel, and design and location. If a patio is problematic it can be removed quickly."

In terms of capacity, one converted parking stall is estimated to provide seating space for between 8-12 people. The ABIA is asking for two spaces "to determine the effect on parking compared to the revenue and aesthetics return these patios provide to the downtown core."

"The ABIA does not believe the impact of reducing a small number of spaces will be a detriment to the parking for fellow ABIA members. Similar to the Barrie program it is recommended that alcohol be permitted per LLBO for these establishments with the proper facilities. Non smoking as well. All tables, chairs, umbrellas and other furnishings taken down each night."

It seemed to be an easy sell around the council table.

Ward 8 councillor Jim Stone asked that the process be expedited to take advantage of the warm months.

"I think this is a great idea, and I think it's going to bring a lot more tourists into Alliston, and it'll enhance all the business people on the main street," said Mr. Stone. " I believe it's a really forward thinking idea, and we should jump on this. I'd like to see staff move on this very quickly to take advantage of this nice weather."

Mayor Mike MacEachern said he also liked the idea, which was referred to staff for a further report on how it can be implemented. Currently there is an outdoor patio located at Thera's Greek restaurant on Victoria at Elizabeth Street, but it's contained on the property.

"This challenge is not unique to the Town of New Tecumseth and other cities that have in recent years sought to find creative ways to accommodate additional outdoor seating areas within compact urban environments," said the mayor. "If you read any of the literature with regard to downtowns, one of the major things that draw people downtown is the ability to watch other people. So let's put some patio seats out there, let them have a drink and let them watch everyone else in town. We'll make it easy for them."

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