Whats this Canada ah: LOOK AT PROPERTY OWNERS
Far from the heated debate that enveloped council earlier this year, a proposal for a 500-square-foot patio passed with nary a hitch on Monday.
The Bracebridge administration and finance committee authorized town staff to finalize the terms of a five-year lease agreement for the construction of a 50-by-10-foot patio for R&L Pasta, located at the corner of Manitoba and Ann streets. The enclosed patio will run along Ann Street and will be used for serving food and drinks.
For nearly two months in late spring, Bracebridge town council engaged in an animated discussion on whether to allow an outdoor patio for a downtown nightclub. That application was eventually turned down in a close vote, after several councillors cited issues over the bar’s history of fire code violations and a perceived lack of planning.
Contrary to those discussions, Monday’s decision was a civil affair with the only contentious issue being the cost of the lease.
Bracebridge clerk Lori McDonald reported that town staff have conducted research into the patio policies in other municipalities, including Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor. The guidelines imposed on patios vary widely, said McDonald, but most have a minimum set of conditions to ensure compliance with municipal bylaws and safety codes.
McDonald suggested a rental rate of $3.50 per square foot, which would fall between the $5 charged by municipalities like Barrie and Huntsville, and the $2 charged in Orillia. Under that rate, the patio would generate roughly $2,300 a year for the town, she added.
Councillor Graydon Smith, who supported the patio proposal in the spring, said he was in favour of the R&L patio, but the cost should change along with the consumer price index (CPI) and not be locked in at a fixed rate throughout the five year lease.
Mayor Don Coates said as time goes by, municipal taxes will reflect changes in the CPI and that will be sufficient.
Councillor Scott Young said the patio will bring a much needed boost to downtown street life, while councillor Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini said such developments are the desire of both tourists and townspeople.
McDonald said staff met with the owners of the property, RCC Holdings, on Oct. 4 and agreed to a potential list of terms that include issues like the conduct of patrons, the quality of the furnishings and accessibility.
During the meeting, the issue of the Salvation Army being used as a garbage dump was also raised. The store is directly across the street from the proposed patio and it was acknowledged that the “donations”, which are regularly piled at the rear of the building when the store is closed, could potentially detract from the viability of the patio and the enjoyment of patrons. The parties agreed that the issue will require further discussion before a deal is signed.
The draft agreement stipulated the patio area will be “no smoking” until 8 p.m. and alcohol will not be served or consumed on the patio after 11 p.m.
The patio is not anticipated to have an impact on the sidewalk or parking.
If the lease is finalized, work is expected to commence during the winter and spring, with a proposed opening of the patio slated for spring or summer of 2008.
AI
