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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.