Committee votes in favour of changing Victoria's patio bylaw
Victoria City Council's Committee of the Whole voted in favour of updating the city's patio bylaw Thursday.
The proposed changes would update a four-decade-old bylaw that took a backseat when the city introduced the temporary Build Back Victoria Program.
That program was described as “bureaucracy-lite” in a staff report and allowed businesses to increase capacity while maintaining physical distancing requirements to support economic recovery efforts.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, 98 business in the capital built patios. The program was considered a success by businesses and patrons alike.
“One of the silver linings of this very tough last couple of years is the emergence of patio culture,” said Jeff Bray, chief executive officer for the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA).
“It adds vibrancy and liveliness to those streets.”
The new bylaw will ensure new patios enhance streetscapes and public spaces, that they are safe and accessible and that the application approval process is fair, flexible and timely.
The DVBA said it welcomes the changes, but stressed flexibility is key.
“We’re very supportive of what staff came forward with,” said Bray. “We just want to make sure we continue to have a flexible permitting program so that the patios work for restaurants as well as for the public, and that means we have to take into consideration that we can be windy, we can be wet, so the patio designs have to allow businesses to have some protection for patrons.”
A draft of the new bylaw is expected to be presented to council in the spring.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.