Vancouver restaurant patios will stay open longer if mayor gets his way
Mayor Gregor Robertson has indicated that he will push to extend patio hours beyond 11 p.m. in Vancouver.
The mayor's office is preparing a motion that will be introduced at the next council meeting on Tuesday (July 9).
It will refer to what the mayor calls "appropriate areas", which suggests hours won't be extended at all 577 patios across the city.
Robertson made the announcement earlier today at the launch of VIVA Vancouver's 2013 program.
“We need to look at those opportunities to use sidewalk or even street space that the city can offer to restaurants to expand the number of patio seats for our residents and visitors to enjoy," Robertson said in a statement on his website. "Whether it’s in Gastown or on Granville or in areas like Main Street, it’s important that the city works with local businesses and neighbourhoods to open up public space for public enjoyment, including for restaurants and cafes.”
Comments
14 Comments
DW
Jul 3, 2013 at 10:49pm
Now we wait and see what "appropriate areas" means.
steven
Jul 4, 2013 at 12:10am
i want to see who owns the properties in those "areas".
i wonder if the nationality of the ownership of those properties will be proportional to population base?
Newbie
Jul 4, 2013 at 12:51am
I did not know until I moved here that Vancouver restaurants close so early.
I was so surprised. We usually don't have dinner till 8 or 9 PM and its hard to find a great restaurant that stay open after 10.
I feel like I have to eat and dash.
This city is so quiet during the week. zzzzzzzzzzzz
Historyrepeatingitself
Jul 4, 2013 at 4:23am
Well if we base this on licensing laws, it's a safe bet that areas in the west part of the city will have fewer restrictions imposed. Tax payer subsidized entertainment ghetto - sorry, district ring any bells?
how about some information?
Jul 4, 2013 at 7:48am
So there in information pointing to the current times vs what is being proposed?
Kinda of a lacking article, no?
chris
Jul 4, 2013 at 7:51am
Good! I tried to find a patio last night at 10 PM--I had no idea the bylaws were so stupid. It was hot and stuffy inside.
So I did what any true Vancouverite would do. I drank beer in a park.
@steven
Jul 4, 2013 at 7:52am
What are you saying????
Brandi
Jul 4, 2013 at 10:30am
I'm in favour of this and anything that makes our city more livable and enjoyable. The next step is getting trains to run later, even if on a very limited schedule!
King Gregor?
Jul 4, 2013 at 11:16am
Interesting how often these announcements are made by Gregor Robertson as part of a media event. I don't have a problem with adjusting patio hours, but do wish Gregor Robertson would conduct himself as a member of City Council and allow for decisions to be made at City Hall, rather than pronouncing his next big "done deal" for the news media.
Charlie Smith
Jul 4, 2013 at 12:35pm
I was disturbed by the lack of transparency. The mayor makes an announcement but his office didn't release the motion on the same day. It also wasn't included with all the other documents that went on the council page this week for next week's meetings.
The mayor's office could provide more transparency by releasing copies of the motions to coincide with announcements of this nature.
I don't think he blurted this out spontaneously.
It makes me wonder if the mayor's office doesn't want us looking at what's being proposed -- and leaving us to parrot what's said without having a chance to fully scrutinize the plan in the first rush of news.
Call me a cynic, but I've seen enough of this nonsense (and late-distribution reports) over the years to draw this inference.
Charlie Smith