Expanded patios among businesses proved to be popular last summer. City council is entertaining the option next year as well (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

PATIO EXTENSIONS

City council approves patio expansion next year with limit of $200,000, discussion on other applicants

Nov 17, 2020 | 5:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — The patio sets are down for the winter, but they will be back on the sidewalk on Victoria Street next summer. City council has agreed to allow expanded patios starting in April.

It means restaurants and cafes along Victoria Street and elsewhere in the city will be able to increase their capacity.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to increase our capacity with the restrictions that are in place right now, so it helps us with getting our license and serving a different crowd as well,” noted owner of Caffe Motivo Blair Harper.

Harper says being a coffee shop is advantageous. He says Motivo will be fine during the winter months, but can benefit from more space.

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“It’s just a larger space to work with. Right now, we’re running at about a 50 per cent decrease in capacity, roughly about 25 people [inside],” he said.

However, there will be a limit next year on how much the city is willing to spend. This year, 13 businesses participated. It cost the city around $5,000 for each location — a total of about $65,000.

With talk of all-weather platforms being installed next year, it will be more expensive — up to three times the cost. Fearing costs could skyrocket, Councillor Sadie Hunter successfully proposed that city expenses for patios can’t exceed $200,000.

“We need to be very pragmatic in terms of how we’re looking at spending this and it not just being open-ended,” she said during the council discussion. “We have 13 businesses interested this year. Maybe if it’s looked at as an open fund, we have 20 businesses.”

The motion was amended to allow for discussion if other interested businesses come forward wanting an expanded patio. Councillor Dieter Dudy suggested an alternate funding plan for each business.

“I think it may be easier to limit the amount per patio,” said Dudy. “So in other words, if someone applies to have a patio put in place, maybe put the limit at $5,000 that the city will contribute. The rest you have to come up with.”

Some residents have complained about the lack of sidewalk space and the elimination of some parking stalls. However, council decided to keep the expanded patio option open and help support local businesses that may otherwise not make it.

“What isn’t in there [the city report] is the potential tax revenue loss if businesses close out and assessed values of these businesses go down,” said Councillor Mike O’Reilly, who is the former owner of Caffe Motivo. “That’s a very real thing that could happen.”