As patio season in London gets closer, two city councillors are hoping to find a few more chairs to have a drink in the sun.
Shawn Lewis and John Fyfe-Millar want to make changes to the city's by-law surrounding Outdoor Patios Associated with a Restaurant or Tavern.
Section 4.18(1) of that by-law says; "No outdoor patio shall accommodate more than 50 percent (50%) of the licensed capacity of the restaurant with which the patio is associated, or 50 persons, whichever is the greater."
Lewis and Fyfe-Millar want that section removed, permanently.
"Over the past two years, restaurant patios have been the key to their survival," said Lewis, the Ward 2 councillor. "A lot more Londoners have discovered how enjoyable a coffee or a beer or dinner outside can be.
The rule was first put on hold in the spring of 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's been working, so why should we reimpose local restrictions tougher than the province requires?" Lewis asked.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario determines capacities for patios in the province. Their rules, however, are less restrictive than the ones used by the City of London in the past.
"Part of the challenge is the ability to plan for the future," Fyfe-Millar said. "This gives businesses the opportunity to make those patios what they want them to be and know the costs of that infrastructure won't be taken away a year from now."
Meantime, there's also benefit to having more restaurant activity outside compared to having it indoors, the Ward 13 councillor said.
"When you talk to restaurant owners, when restrictions got lifted in 2021, people rushed back to the restaurants. In 2022, there was no rush," said Fyfe-Millar. "With the changes to the rules, there's people who are nervous about no more masking. Patios give them the opportunity to see more people outside."
Their motion, which goes to Planning and Environment Committee on Monday, asks "Civic Administration be directed to investigate options to repeal subsection 4.18(1) or amending current capacity restrictions to allow greater flexibility for restauranteurs in meeting their ACGO capacity limits and report back with options for council’s consideration."
If approved at the committee level, the change would eventually have to be approved by full council.
