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At their meeting this week, council approved new changes to the guidelines for operating a pop-up patio in the city, which includes the waiving of fees.

The staff report presented to council indicates that, after engaging with the Downtown BIA and local business owners on West Street and Clarence Street, pop-up patios have been a lifeline for businesses struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions. Setting up a patio on city-owned property, like parking stalls and sidewalks, is permitted under the city’s encroachment by-law.

“Restaurants and cafés have had to rely on patios the past two years to keep their businesses afloat. The changes that council approved will make it easier to operate a pop-up patio in Port Colborne,” said Mayor Bill Steele.

An internal review of the previous guidelines, adopted in 2019, revealed that certain changes could be made to mitigate concerns and maximize potential success. In previous years, the city charged businesses $300 for erecting a new patio and $50 for a renewal. Based on the report’s recommendations, council agreed that patio fees be waived for 2022. Other important guideline changes include extending the operating season from April 1to Nov. 15 and approving patios of up to two (or any space within) parking stalls per business and no more than three pop-up patios per block on West Street. If more patios are requested than the amount permitted, the city will conduct a parking evaluation as well as a lottery for any available spaces.

Stemming from feedback received during and after a council meeting on Feb. 22, additional clarification was provided on where patios must be placed in relation to building frontage. Patios are not to extend beyond the frontage of the sponsoring business without approval from the city and any neighbours affected by the spillover. An agreement document between neighbours and the building owners will need to be signed and included with the sponsoring business's application. Neighbouring businesses can also jointly sponsor and share a patio platform that spans multiple storefronts. Approval of the placement of any pop-up patio in Port Colborne is at the discretion of the city.

“Port Colborne’s small businesses have been through and overcome a lot during this pandemic, and the improvements endorsed by council will make for yet another successful patio season,” said Bram Cotton, economic development officer. Cotton’s consultations with the local business community uncovered a desire to have pop-up patios be a permanent option in the city. A future staff report will present this option for council’s consideration.

Business interested in applying for a pop-up patio can contact Bram Cotton, economic development officer, at 905-835-2900 x504 or email edo@portcolborne.ca.