Niagara-on-the-Lake town council deferred a decision on whether to permit outdoor patios on Queen Street after running out of time during a meeting that lasted more than five hours.
Council will revisit the issue at its next meeting on April 28.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa proposed allowing temporary patios on Queen Street, until the Queen Street secondary plan, which the town is currently working on, is in force and effect.
Aimee Alderman, the director of planning, said the proposal would allow patios only in municipal parking stalls on Queen Street.
According to the proposal, the Queen Street secondary plan — which would establish specific policies for the area — could take up to two years to complete.
Zalepa’s motion also directed staff to develop minimum requirements and conditions for the patios, including prohibiting them in accessible parking spaces.
It also called for staff to report back in April with several items, including a minimum design requirements guide and a draft Queen Street temporary patio permit and encroachment agreement.
The proposal follows the end of the town’s temporary patio program last year, which was introduced during the pandemic to help restaurants continue operating during lockdowns.
With the program now expired, restaurants cannot currently operate outdoor patios under that framework.
Coun. Wendy Cheropita cited town polling conducted a few years ago that showed strong support for summer patios.
“The statistics were all very positive for the patios, I think you (Coun. Andrew Niven) commented on 93 per cent of all survey goers said they loved the patios,” said Cheropita. “There’s no doubt that there’s desire.”
Coun. Sandra O’Connor opposed the proposal, calling it “piecemeal planning” and arguing council should wait for the Queen Street secondary plan before making a decision.
“I think it’s unfair to the other businesses that only certain ones are allowed,” she said. “I think it promotes an unstable business environment because we keep changing our minds.”
Coun. Erwin Wiens said he was interested in expanding patio permissions beyond Queen Street to the Queen-Picton area, including nearby businesses such as the Irish Harp on King Street.
He also questioned whether businesses would pay for the parking stalls used for patios and whether the town has a fee structure in place.
