Patios in downtown Collingwood have to move to the curbside.
The motion on the table was to defer any change in location of the restaurant patios until 2011, but the motion was defeated 5 to 4 on Monday night.
It was Councillor Ian Chadwick’s motion.
He says the decision means the original plan in the downtown revitalization project to move the patios to the curb sticks.
Chadwick says he’s very disappointed that council failed to listen to restaurant owners and the public who want the patios left up against the buildings.
He adds he’s heard some restaurant owners say they just won’t put their patios out this year if the plan went through.
But councillor Kathy Jeffery, who voted to defeat the motion, says she feels business owners who don’t currently have patios will take advantage of this decision and make good use of the space so others will see that it’s a good idea.
As for owners pulling their patios, Jeffery says she hopes they’ll come around.
Many restaurant owners have said the added costs to move their patios is too high and there are safety issues for their servers who have to carry hot food and drink across a busy sidewalk.
This motion had been put off for several weeks until all members of council were present.