A printed version of this article referenced Privada as the restaurant on Perron Street. As of January, the restaurant is now Tryst Wine & Small Plates under new ownership.
St. Albertans may see more opportunities to shop and eat outside this summer.
The City of St. Albert is now accepting applications for downtown businesses to create unfenced small patios or retail pop-ups abutting right up to storefronts on city-owned property.
Dawny George, director of engineering, brought forward the amendment to the city's traffic bylaw to establish a temporary permitting process for businesses. It was brought to council as an emergent item during Monday's regular meeting and passed unanimously for a June 2 launch.
Coun. Jacquie Hansen called the initiative a "quick win" for businesses to expand amid COVID-19. Recognizing the need for a fast rollout, Mayor Cathy Heron said this change is just the first step.
"We're trying to make it a bigger and broader change so we can have more outdoor shopping and eating spaces in St. Albert," Heron said.
Patio and sidewalk retail pop-ups can be placed right outside storefronts downtown St. Albert without fencing or barriers, allowing business owners to sell food or other retail items outside, except for alcohol.
There will be no fees for the permits, and any costs incurred for the set-up of a patio or sidewalk retail pop-up will be borne by the businesses, George said.
"The city may have to absorb some costs associated with rerouting pedestrian traffic on city sidewalks, or vehicular traffic to extend pedestrian sidewalks, and we may even lose a parking lot or two."
Businesses will be required to provide proof of insurance and an indemnity, or security against injury, loss or damages, to the city as part of the permitting process. The temporary measure will be in place until Oct. 15, though city administration could look into making it a permanent change in the future.
The process applies to businesses located on all city-owned land – though effectively, only businesses located in downtown St. Albert would be eligible because all other lands are privately owned, said Marta Caufield, deputy city solicitor.
It can be done on private property, but business owners would need to go through a process already established in the land use bylaw.
"(That) takes longer than what we anticipate this new process will take," she said.
Coun. Wes Brodhead and Heron asked why restaurants wouldn't be permitted to serve alcohol under this new process.
Caufield explained it usually takes three weeks to get a permit from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, and patios would need to have some kind of fencing or barrier around them to abide by provincial requirements.
In 2017, the Alberta government relaxed rules around licensed patios allowing businesses to define their patios by using planters or other decorative items like furniture.
While Tryst Wine & Small Plates on Perron Street is able to serve alcohol to guests sitting outside in their fenced patio, the city's new permitting process currently only allows for small unfenced patios and retail pop-ups.
"This is a new streamlined process for those who aren't in that place now. Then for major patios and private land, we would be looking at streamlining some sort of process under the land use bylaw," Caufield said.
Hansen said she would like to see the city explore options to permit alcohol in the future.
"Hopefully we can move that part of it along quickly so they can increase their sales and invite a larger crowd in that way."
With the St. Albert Farmers' Market moving away from their downtown location this year due to COVID-19, Coun. Sheena Hughes said outdoor patios and retail spaces could encourage more foot traffic in downtown.
Jennifer McCurdy, CEO and president of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, called the changes a "positive move" for the business community.
Whether it's having a small table where people can enjoy a cup of coffee or a place where retailers can put out a clothing rack, making it easier for businesses to have pop-up patios will bring new life to the downtown area, she said.
"Especially for the restaurants who, under the current Alberta Health Services regulations, have lost half of their capacity. If they're able to look after a few more customers sitting outside, then I think that will help restaurants do well," she said. "I think it's a great first step."
