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Chatham

Outdoor patio expansions now easier for CK business owners

Bar and restaurant owners across Chatham-Kent now have a little bit more flexibility when it comes to building permanent patios for their establishments.

On Monday, Chatham-Kent council approved a by-law amendment to make that easier for local businesses.

Under the previous by-law, "the parking required for the outdoor patio shall be equal to that required for the main eating establishment use." However, the new by-law now allows for up to 15 per cent of the required and/or existing parking spaces for the main use to be used to construct an outdoor patio.

Gail Hundt, president and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, said the change is wonderful news for the local hospitality sector, which has been one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When council was reviewing this in December to extend it for 2021, in and around the COVID issues, our chamber was proactive and promoted that we supported such an idea as well as encouraged council to look at this as a long term, permanent solution to expand opportunities for the hospitality and restaurant sectors," she explained.

At the end of 2020, council approved the extension of allowing temporary patios throughout 2021 in hopes of making it easier for establishments to operate during the pandemic.

Municipal officials in Chatham-Kent previously indicated that throughout 2020 they heard from multiple business owners who expressed interest in utilizing a permanent patio but were too restricted under the previous by-law.

COVID-19 aside, Hundt said providing the chance to open more patios in Chatham-Kent has benefits for the municipality's economy as a whole.

"The majority of people when they're travelling, in and around the warm weather, if we can, we do take advantage of outdoor patios and the camaraderie that comes along with it," said Hundt. "When you think of the added benefits that can add to the close by retailers, or service sectors, there's a whole domino effect that comes into play."

Although sitting on a patio isn't what most people are envisioning this time of year, Hundt said the timing of the by-law change is perfect and will allow business owners enough time to prepare for the warmer weather.

"January is a good [time] to start all those new resolutions both financially and mechanically," she said. "Start planning and executing those plans so that when those warm summer or spring days are upon us, they're ready to start right out of the gate."

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