The City of Prince George will be releasing a new, streamlined process for restaurant and bar owners to establish seasonal patios on sidewalks and streets next year.
Businesses with seasonal patios on city streets and sidewalks are currently required to remove them by Oct. 31, to make sure streets and sidewalks are free of obstructions for snow clearing, according to a statement released by the city on Monday.
“The city’s quick response to the Public Health Orders temporarily disallowing indoor dining and allowing seasonal patios helped infuse a new sense of activity and vibrancy in the downtown and around the city,” city manager of economic development Melissa Barcellos said in a press release. “In order to encourage the continued use of seasonal street and sidewalk patios, which were so well received by both residents and businesses, the city is refining this procedure to ensure interested businesses are ready for the start of patio season in 2022. We will be consulting with the businesses that established seasonal patios and aim to make the application as easy and affordable as possible.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has waived fees for businesses looking to establish temporary patios and fast-tracked the process to allow local businesses to continue operating. The city encouraged business owners operating with temporary expanded service areas to apply for permanent changes to their liquor licences, if they wish to continue operating seasonal patios beyond June 1, 2022.
