Permanent patios go to public debate next month in Vancouver

Vancouver wants to know what the public thinks of its plans to allow the permanent installation of curbside patios outside bars and restaurants.

City council recently approved a public hearing be held Feb. 14 before proposed changes go into effect.

The patio program first started in 2020 as a temporary measure during COVID-19, helping local restaurants serve more customers with an expansion of up to half of their current seating capacity outdoors. The year-round allowance has helped many small businesses rebound from the financial hardship of the pandemic.

Vancouver city planning commission is worried having patios permanently outside some sites will cramp accessibility. Elevated dining areas without ramp access don’t allow wheelchair-users to be customers.

“The addition of patios has added to and worsened the existing level of inaccessibility in the city overall, as well as in specific areas,” it reported to city council last year.