Revamping Of Patio Program Gets Executive's Nod
By Robert Thomas
The Downtown outdoor patio program is in for some policy revamping.
The brain child of the Downtown Moose Jaw Association and the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce the proposed revamping will include granting a second year, or the 2022, free of charge to businesses who apply for a parking patio. The move comes after only two of the outdoor patios patios appeared in the Downtown core over the summer.
The Chamber had approached Council and were approved to provide a third patio to a Downtown business but the move never came to fruition.
The Mad Greek was one of two Downtown businesses which offered a Parking Patio this past summer to its patrons - MJ Independent file photo
Outdoor patio dining has proven to be popular and a boost to the economy in other Canadian centres as well as world-wide (see photo below).
The cost estimated for waiving the fees in 2022 is based upon an average the parking meters take in. Administration notes in their report the estimated cost to the City, based upon lost parking meter revenues, depends on the number of businesses who apply for a parking patio.
Last summer the City estimated the cost to the city, reflected in lost parking meter revenue for the two patios utilizing four (4) parking spots, to be $3200.
The City, once they do start charging for parking patio space, is $1,100 for the first parking space and $500 for the second parking space.
The new policy will offer a 50 percent reduction for parking patios on non-parking metered parking stalls to reflect the fact the parking stall does not receive any parking revenue.
OTHER PROPOSED CHANGES
The proposed changes patio program, if approved later at Council, will see two classes of patios in the Downtown.
There will be a Parking Patio and a Public Parking Patio defined in the policy.
The additional definition will be used to reflect Parking Patios, if associated with a restaurant and serving food, must have access to washrooms for patrons under the Public Heath Act.
Whereas a second definition will define a Public Parking Patio which is not associated with a restaurant and does not have tables and only places to sit down.
A Public Parking Patio may only be applied for by a registered charitable organization which serves the public interest of Moose Jaw. Adjacent businesses are not allowed to apply for a public parking patio.
Public Parking Patios must also receive written permission from adjacent land/property owners before they are allowed.
An example of three season patios in Odessa, Ukraine so far this is not being proposed in Moose Jaw - MJ Independent photo
The main distinction between Parking Patios and Public Parking Patios is how they conform to the Public Health Act.
Parking Patios can have tables and serve food and drink but must have access for patrons to washrooms.
Public Parking Patios do not require user’s access to washrooms but they are also not allowed to be used to serve food or drink at and they are not allowed to have tables and only chairs.
Another proposed change to the policy would be in 2022 there will be a contest for the most beautiful parking patio with the winner receiving 50 percent off of their 2023 patio rent.
Businesses with a parking patio must still carry a minimum $5 million liability insurance policy but under the new proposed policy they must name the City of Moose Jaw as an additional assured.
Additionally the new policy would allow Sidewalk Sales during the winter. Any patio used during that time would be subject to the same winter regulations as Sidewalk Patios.
Now that Executive Committee has unanimously approved the policy it must be given final approval at a future Council meeting.