Do you have an opinion on whether expanded patios should still be allowed in Collingwood’s downtown post-COVID?
If so, the town wants to hear from you.
From Feb. 6 to 24, the Town of Collingwood has opened a public survey on its Engage Collingwood page to gather feedback on downtown patio expansions and retail options.
While patios and retail merchandise have been permitted on the sidewalks of Downtown Collingwood for more than 10 years, during the pandemic the town expanded patio rules for downtown businesses to allow more seating and retail options outdoors to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
This was permitted through a temporary encroachment bylaw which first went into effect on June 15, 2020 and expired Jan. 1, 2023. Under the bylaw, patios were permitted to expand beyond their building frontage upon receiving consent from the neighbouring business and ability to utilize on-street parking spaces to accommodate physical distance separation requirements for additional seating.
Merchandise displays were permitted during hours of operation, including tents along the curbside which were previously restricted to weekends and holidays.
Now that the bylaw has expired, the town is seeking feedback to determine if they should make a permanent change to the town’s bylaws.
Following public consultation, the survey results will be compiled and presented along with staff feedback and recommendations to council in March.
If a new bylaw is approved by council, the town would be looking to implement the new bylaw in April, ahead of this summer’s patio season.
For more information or to participate in the town’s survey, click here.
