Plans Underway For More Temporary Patio and Pedestrian Space in Downtown Peterborough As Patio Season Approaches
/Patio season is approaching with plans underway to create more patio and pedestrian space in Downtown Peterborough, and applications for temporary patios for this season are now available.
file photo.
Earlier this year, Peterborough City Council approved making the expanded patio program a regular, annual program for the downtown. For the last three years, a temporary expanded patio program allowed downtown business to apply to expand their patio space on sidewalks or use on-street parking adjacent to their business as part of a COVID-19 response efforts.
Town Ward Councillors Alex Bierk and Joy Lachica see many benefits to expanded patios.
“Downtown Peterborough is beautiful and having expanded patios adds to the vibrancy of the area,” said Councillor Lachica. “There’s nothing like a summer day strolling downtown with shops, restaurants and cafes brimming with people enjoying themselves and supporting local. Patios help make our downtown a destination.”
“I believe in the culture of downtown. It plays a crucial role in bringing the City to life during the summertime,” said Councillor Bierk. “With the City’s patio program expanding there is a lot to celebrate. Not only does this help local shops, restaurants, and cafe’s by increasing capacity and attracting more people downtown — it also generates employment opportunities. Along with the patio program, we also have 30 plus new businesses that have opened in the downtown core this past year. There’s a lot to be excited about.”
The plan includes:
Allowing businesses on George, Water and Charlotte Streets to use on-street parking spaces next to their businesses for additional outdoor business/patio space
Maintaining the existing two vehicular travel lanes and cycling lanes on George and Water streets
Reducing Hunter Street West between George and Aylmer streets to a one-lane, one-way street to expand pedestrian space and available patio areas
Maintaining Charlotte Street as a two-way, two-lane street, while allowing for patios in on-street parking spaces next to participating businesses through the patio permit process
The use of decorative fencing and planters to delineate between the new pedestrian areas, expanded/on-street patios and vehicular traffic lanes
The program has been expanded to allow businesses in East City along Hunter Street East to operate a patio on a portion of the city sidewalks
A $300 Patio Licence fee for applicants
