A report from city staff recommends a permanent, annual program for expanding businesses Courtyard blank space in downtown peterborough While also extending the patio season.
There have been temporary public space changes since the start of COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. Temporary changes each June to October include removing some on-street parking, lowering the speed limit, allowing businesses to expand sidewalk patio space, and creating a temporary roadway on a portion of Hunter Street West.
now onen Comprehensive Staff Report To be reviewed by the city council on February 13. It is recommended to implement an annual standing program in the central area of the city – mainly the downtown core.
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The recommendation follows support through a one-month online survey from December 2022 to January 2023, in which 76 per cent of 515 respondents agreed that the changes in 2022 helped city businesses and 75 per cent agreed that The city has benefited from the changes.
A public consultation and review meetings also took place on 11 January. downtown business improvement area (DBIA).
Jasbir Raina, commissioner of Infrastructure and Development Services, said in his report that the benefits of the program go “beyond” a pandemic response for the sector.
“Based on feedback from key stakeholders and the public, there is strong support for a courtyard program operated on an annual basis that allows businesses to use city-owned land to create courtyards for use by their customers,” They said
“The survey results provide clear indications that a majority of respondents agreed that the outdoor courtyard program adds livability and boosts the economy to the city.”
The survey showed that seven percent (36) of the 515 respondents were business owners in the city. Twenty-seven self-identified business owners/operators reported positive outcomes with temporary public spaces.
Raina says that if approved, the 2023 season will be very similar to the 2022 version. However, the season will be extended and will run from 15 April to 15 November annually.
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The city is also planning to develop an online permit application to streamline administration. In 2022 the city reports 26 businesses took advantage of the opportunity to operate an outdoor patio on city-owned land.
The report also proposes an administrative monetary penalty system that would create an enforcement process to ensure compliance with courtyard permits and “limit the city’s exposure to non-permitted courtyards on city property.”
The report states that the cost of the 2023 courtyard weather program is estimated to be $40,000 which includes communication signs, advertising, additional planters and fencing and equipment and signage installation and removal.
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