The City of Parksville is giving downtown street patios a try for the next three years as part of a pilot project.
Council approved third reading for a zoning and development amendment bylaw which adds street patios to allowed uses on streets in the downtown core.
The three year project means a business can apply for a licence of occupation and pay a fee of $150 and a rental rate based in part on the value of the space being occupied. To obtain a liquor licence, they will need to apply to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
“We’re coming up to street patio season and the sooner we can get it up, the sooner the proprietors and others in the city can take advantage of this,” Mayor Doug O'Brien said during council's May 21 meeting, and added he hopes the first licence of occupation, granted to Extreme Eatery, will start a trend.
Extreme Eatery has had its street patio for several years due to a provision set up during the pandemic era.
City staff hope to learn "what works and what doesn't work" over the next few years, according to Blaine Russell, director of community planning and building.
A public hearing was held prior to the council meeting, which attracted zero speakers, although the city did receive several letters from downtown businesses that were in favour, according to O'Brien.
“They’re very supportive of the fact that we are pursuing this action to increase vitality in the downtown core and I’m looking forward to this,” he added.
For now, the small amount of money generated by the street patio fees will most likely go into the city's general reserve, according to chief administrative officer Keeva Kehler, but in the future it could go towards reinvestment in the downtown core.
"I really appreciate the staff taking the time to walk before we run on this," said Coun. Sylvia Martin. "Because it is new to Parksville and it’s going to be really great if we do it right.”
