Take out

County looks at a plan to open parks to public dining and relax sidewalk patio rules

The County’s Economic Recovery Team, and more specifically the hospitality sub-committee, has put forth two specific requests of the municipality to support their efforts for reopening and operating once the province announces it is okay to do so.

First, they seek a series of temporary amendments to the Sidewalk Patio By-Law that would cancel all fees, eliminate the barriers to entry and allow for expanded operations. Being able to access sidewalk space will allow businesses to begin to replace patrons’ seats eliminated inside their establishments due to following physical distancing protocols.

The second request involves changing the operations of municipally owned Benson Park, The Mill Pond, and Wellington Park. Restaurants would like extra picnic tables placed in the parks at acceptable distances, so their patrons can use the parks to eat. Increased trash collection and keeping open public washroom facilities would all work to encourage people to purchase take-out food and dine in the park.

A staff report outlines that local restaurants will be held to significant capacity restrictions. The province of Ontario has provided Restaurant and Food Services Health and Safety during COVID-19 Guidelines that highlight the importance of physical distancing measures, which need to be incorporated into operations. Many of the restaurants in the County’s core commercial areas do not have the space to provide for responsible physical distancing. Based on the length and severity of this current economic crisis, the opportunity to access an appropriate amount of sidewalk space could allow restaurants to safely serve their patrons. Staff is recommending that application and program fees be removed, as well as allowing for extended hours, eliminating fencing requirements, and fast tracking applications.

The hospitality sub-committee also believes that with seating limitations and physical distancing concerns, take-out food options will continue to be popular once restaurants reopen for table service. They would like to encourage restaurant patrons to eat their take-out nearby, keeping customers in the core commercial area to support other businesses. They are requesting that portions of the parks be dedicated to encourage public dining. This would create outside eating areas in public parks and would not require a bylaw change, but would involve several operational changes such as ensuring there are extra tables, access to washrooms and extra garbage containers. It has also been requested that staff look into the allowance of the public consumption of alcohol in the parks as well.

Last May, the Ontario government introduced the Liquor License and Control Act, 2019 that included in section 41.4 the ability to designate public place via by-law as open to consume alcohol. The enforcement of the other aspects of the act, including public intoxication and underage drinking, would be the responsibility of the police, not by-law enforcement officers. This law has been passed, but will not come into effect until it is signed by the Lieutenant Governor. Staff is suggesting that they be directed to consult and report back.

Councillor Kate MacNaughton had a few concerns, one of which was maintaining a certain level of service at other parks in the County. “I want to make sure this moves forward without impacting other regions of the County,” said MacNaughton.

Councillor Janice Maynard agreed, saying she was concerned about staff having time to clean washrooms and tables, and provide enforcement. “Most parks have received a pretty marginal level of service in the past,” said Maynard. “To add anything else will be challenging without hiring more staff.”

CAO Marcia Wallace didn’t see it affecting other parks, but did note that the summer student program will have to be revisited, as the County halted hiring this year due to the COVID- 19 pandemic. “At this point we see that working without have a negative impact on other services,” said Wallace.

“Our bigger question is that a lot of our tourist supportive functions are augmented by student labour every summer, which we have not pursued. We are going to have to revisit the summer student program.” Wallace noted she is hopeful that the provincial or federal government might roll out a program to help with student hiring this summer.

Councillor Mike Harper, who is a member of the Economic Recovery Team, explained that local restaurant owners are in trouble, and wanted to see this program in place by July 1. “I feel like I have a good sense of businesses that are truly in trouble, versus some that have been greatly inconvenienced. This isn’t just about recovery, this is really about survival. In a restaurant business where you depend on 80 or 90 per cent occupancy through the summer months to get you through the shoulder season and back into March, it’s a very scary proposition,” said Harper. He noted that due to physical distancing, restaurants won’t be able to fill their dining rooms this summer. “Let’s recognize that this isn’t going to be perfect. This isn’t about getting it right and living with it for the summer. This is about getting it started and refining it, and continuing to refine it over the weeks and months ahead and into the fall so we can try to salvage some of the fall season as well,” he added.

Mayor Steve Ferguson reminded council that the announcements from the province on reopening have come quickly with little time to pivot, so getting this moving quickly was favourable.

The motion passed. The file will come back to council at its June 9 meeting for final approval.