Image from Amber Avalona Pixabay
At the April 12th Committee of the Whole meeting in Kincardine, councillors agreed to waive the required fees to expedite the application process so businesses can set up their patios by May 1st.
Councillor Maureen Couture is a member of the Kincardine BIA committee and says the businesses are hurting because of the latest round of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The other issue is how many pedestrian traffic barriers would be needed at each patio and who would pay for them.
The guides, known as jersey barriers, direct pedestrian traffic around the patios.
Clerk Jennifer Lawrie says the temporary sidewalk is the two parking spaces in front of the building, which has its patio on the sidewalk.
The question was who pays for these barriers.
Councillor Laura Haight who was attending her first council meeting, since becoming ill some time ago, says if the barriers are required around the entire area, the municipality will foot the bill.
The barriers cost between $250 and $550 each.