Burlington's Existing Patio Program to Continue in 2023 with Staff Report Back to Committee in February
At our Burlington City Council meeting on Dec. 13, we unanimously approved continuing our current temporary patio program into 2023 to give us more time to get a permanent program right. We also directed staff to report back to us in February 2023 with options for beautification of traffic barriers, costing and funding.By continuing the patio program as it is in 2023, we provide certainty to our restaurant owners for this year’s patio season, while giving ourselves time over the balance of 2023 to develop an appropriate permanent program, including any appropriate supports. I look forward to working with the Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement & Partnerships and the Deputy Mayor of Recreation & Community Services on ongoing consultation with the community about options and opportunities.Click the following links to read the full staff report and appendices and go through the staff presentation.
Here is the approved motion:Endorse, in principle, the Draft Patio Design Guidelines attached as Appendix B to community planning department report PL-76-22, with modifications as a result of additional stakeholder consultation to be included in a report to Council in February 2023; andDirect the Director of Community Planning to continue the existing temporary patio program into 2023, with associated fee waivers, $2 million liability insurance and no new additional fees; andDirect the Mayor to work with the Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement and Partnerships and Deputy Mayor of Recreation and Community Services to convene a stakeholder meeting toward a permanent patio program and support to our hospitality industry; andDirect the Chief Financial Officer to report back on the use of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) for the 2023 season for centrally Managed Patio Walkway System (Appendix B) to furnish the public realm and deliver enhanced safety and support active transportation; andDirect the Director of Community Planning to report back in February 2023 around options for beautification of traffic barriers, cost options and funding options, including a scoped option for the 2023 season for areas with contiguous patios through a centrally-managed patio walkway system; andDirect the Director of Community Planning to provide an overview of strategic community development options, including but not limited to a CIP and/or upper level government funding options and anticipated timeframe at the February 2023 CPRM meeting (SD-27-22).BACKGROUND:While the Temporary Patio Program provided flexibility in the face of COVID-19 capacity related restrictions, restaurant operators want ongoing certainty regarding the outdoor patio program so they can make informed business decisions about whether to participate in the program and invest in their patios.Additionally, there is a strong desire amongst restaurant operators, community members and the local Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) to implement a consistent set of design guidelines for patios that positively shift the look, feel and function of Burlington’s main streets, increase the vibrancy of the public realm, improve the user experience in the public right of way, including both curbside space and the sidewalk, and improve accessibility in and around patios.RELATED LINK: