Meaford council has rejected a staff proposal to pause the downtown restaurant patio program for the coming summer, though they acknowledged that improvements must be made. They voted in favour of two additional recommendations that will see the program reviewed and revamped in order to improve safety and accessibility concerns.
A report provided to council during their April 7 meeting recommended pausing the patio program for the coming summer in order to allow for a review and revision of the program in hopes of implementation in 2026.
While council agreed that there are many improvements that can and should be made, councillors suggested that it would be unfair to the restaurant owners to pull the plug on the program this year, just weeks before patio season arrives.
“This report is primarily identifying any liability concerns and obligations within the connecting link (Highway 26/Sykes Street) on municipal property. The goal is to ensure patios provide a safe environment for patrons, pedestrians, and motorists while maintaining a vibrant streetscape that supports local businesses, addresses traffic and pedestrian safety, barrier requirements, Ontario Traffic Council standards, accessibility compliance according to the Accessibility for Ontario’s with Disabilities requirements and the Ontario Building Code,” explained the executive summary of the report to council.
In their report, staff noted four primary concerns including the need for retro-reflective tape on the barriers around the patios, the need for compliance with the provincial Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), parking and patio space concerns, and the need to ensure that the patios comply with the Ontario Building Code.
The report also noted concerns that have been expressed by owners of businesses neighbouring the restaurants with patios, including the loss of parking spaces and the encroachment of the patios into the frontage of neighbouring businesses, which can block visibility and access to those businesses.
During the public participation portion of Monday’s meeting, council heard from local business owners who have had issues with the patios which they say have caused visibility of their businesses to be blocked by the patios, and have caused some accessibility and safety concerns.
Council also heard from the owner of popular downtown restaurant the Leeky Canoe, Sean Bayley, who said that he was concerned about the potential for a pause of the patio program for 2025.
“As a restaurant owner in Meaford I implore you to reconsider this course of action, as it poses a significant threat to the financial viability of our establishment,” Bayley told council. “During these devastating times, the patio program has been a literal lifeline, allowing us to expand our seating capacity during peak seasons, and attract guests for outdoor dining experiences during the summer months during which we generate the majority of our revenue for the entire year. The patio program has become an integral part of Meaford’s vibrant streetscape, enhancing the town’s appeal to tourists and residents alike.”
Bayley said that he had planned to take out a $200,000 loan to complete an interior renovation, and he had already ordered new patio furniture for the coming season, but he said with the current uncertainty of the patio program, those plans are now on hold.
Bayley suggested that a pause in the patio program could result in layoffs, and losses for his business. He noted that a review of the patio program could still be undertaken while the program was still in place.
The report to council contained three recommendations. The first recommendation was to pause the patio program for 2025 in order to undertake a review of the program with a possible return of the patios in 2026. The second recommendation gives direction to staff to obtain quotes for new safety barriers, and the third recommendation was to direct staff to review the patio application rules and regulations in order to ensure alignment with the provincial building code and AODA.
Acknowledging that improvements can and should be made to the restaurant patio program, council opted to discuss and vote upon the three recommendations in the staff report separately.
Council first discussed the recommendation to pause the patio program for the coming season.
Councillor Rob Uhrig noted that with the current economic uncertainty there is likely to be a difficult year ahead for all businesses including restaurants, suggesting it would not be wise to pause the program for this year particularly just weeks to go before the patio season, and with restaurants already having made plans and purchases in preparation for the coming patio season.
Nearly 40 minutes into council’s discussion of the agenda item, Mayor Ross Kentner asked if a review of the program could be undertaken while still allowing the patios this year.
“Is it necessary to pause the program in 2025 in order to achieve all of the things you want to achieve?” Kentner asked staff.
Ultimately, council opted to keep the program in place for this year, while at the same time exploring opportunities for improvement of the program before the 2026 season.
Council rejected the first recommendation, to pause the program for this year, in a unanimous 0-7 vote against the recommendation.
Next council voted on the second and third recommendations together resulting in another unanimous vote, this time 7-0 in favour of accepting the recommendations, giving direction to staff to obtain quotes for new safety barriers, and to direct staff to review and revise as necessary the patio application rules and regulations in order to ensure alignment with the provincial building code and AODA before the 2026 season.
