Under the stars

Council gives green light to sidewalk patios

Put three people together in the County and soon the conversation turns from the weather to traffic in downtown Picton and other urban areas of the County, particularly in the summer months. Yet on a warm and inviting mid-June Friday evening last week Main Street was momentarily empty of cars from Elizabeth Street to the hill. Many stores had closed for the day. The crowd heading to the Regent hadn’t yet arrived. There was plenty of parking and scant evidence of the gridlock many associate with Picton in the summertime.

So to in an attempt to create a bit more vitality and activity in Picton and other Main Streets in the County—the municipality has agreed to enable restaurants and other eateries to establish sidewalk dining as a pilot program.

Participating establishments will be required to pay for the larger footprint and must maintain a clear path of five feet to enable pedestrians level and unimpeded access on Main Street.

The idea comes from the County Community Development head Neil Carbone. In his report Carbone points to many other Ontario and Canadian communities that open up their sidewalks in this way to spur foot traffic and attract folks to come downtown and linger.

The pilot program was developed in consultation with the local business associations in Wellington and Picton.

It won’t be a free-for-all for participating establishments however—each proposed patio must be cordoned off from the sidewalk and provide accessible entrances.

There are 12 design guidelines recommended. The program is set to run from July 1 to October 15. After that the program will be evaluated and either a policy developed to govern such patios or the idea dropped.

Most councillors were in favour of the pilot program.

“It’s a neat idea,” said Kevin Gale, Sophiasburgh councillor. “If it creates some excitement on Main Street it is worth trying.”

Ameliasburgh Councillor Dianne O’Brien agreed. “If I stop for a coffee or lunch I am more likely to do more shopping.”

Athol representative Jamie Forrester added that anything that might make downtown Picton a more vibrant place was worth trying.

Not all councillors were as enthusiastic.

Picton Councillor Brian Marisett worried about the loss of parking spots that might give way to pedestrian traffic to accommodate proposed patios. He also said that not all businesses on Main Street in Picton were tourism oriented and worried about the impact the patios might have on their business.

Marisett also complained that the Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee wasn’t consulted.

Robert McAuley, commissioner responsible for planning responded by pointing to the 20 proposed policy requirements and 16 design guidelines prepared by the Community Development department.

“Part of the purpose of a pilot program is to experience it—as opposed to not experiencing it and never knowing,” said McAuley.

Most around the council horseshoe felt the idea was a good one and worth trying.

Come Canada Day, lunch on Main Street may be enjoyed al fresco.