Outdoor patios stay open year-round

Windsor businesses will now be allowed to keep outdoor patios open year-round.

The city’s current by-laws state permits for outdoor patios are valid from March 1 until Nov. 30. Under these rules businesses are responsible for removing all fences and furniture by Nov. 30. They are also responsible for the cost of storing these items off-site as well as returning the sidewalk to a level state.

The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association proposed city council extend existing outdoor patio permits until Feb. 28, with 2013/2014 permits lasting from March 1, 2013 until Feb. 28, 2014. This would act as a trial period for the city to assess the effects outdoor patios will have on snow removal.

Ward 6 Coun, Jo-Anne Gignac said she expects business owners to cover the cost of snow removal and upkeep within the boundaries of their outdoor patios.

“If there’s any problem with the snow clearing, that’s going to be the problem of the owner of the establishment,” said Gignac.

Chair of the DWBIA, Larry Horwitz, said he hopes the proposal will draw more people to the businesses which take advantage of year-round outdoor patios.

“There’s a lot of (winter) days that are nice outside that can really use people coming downtown and sitting in the outdoor cafes with heaters and a nice environment,” said Horwitz.

City Engineer Mario Sonego said this would be the first time council has allowed for the use of outdoor heaters after denying their use a few years ago. Sonego also said this proposal is for a pilot project and the effects of outdoor patios will be analyzed.

“We’re going to go to the end of Feb. 28, 2014 and we’ll see how the program goes and who co-operated and how it went,” said Sonego.

Sonego said the success of the pilot project will help council determine whether or not to continue on with the year-round patio program.

“A lot of cities across the world open their patios in the winter months,” said Horwitz. “I think it’s good that we’re moving in that direction and I’d like to thank council if they pass this and administration for working closely with us.”

It has been noted both by Horwitz and Sonego that other BIAs within the city will be able to opt into this pilot program and it is not exclusive just to the DWBIA.

City council voted unanimously in favour of the proposal Jan. 21.