At its upcoming meeting scheduled for June 2, Penticton City Council will consider three staff reports free parking in the downtown, waived licence fees for sidewalk patios and controlled consumption of alcohol in public spaces.
The report on controlled consumption of alcoholic beverages was presented to council in the May 19 meeting. The pilot program would involve allowing residents and visitors to drink in select public spaces for five weeks, starting on June 5.
There would be an option to then extend the program or abandon it depending on its success.
“As Penticton is home to 30 wineries, seven breweries and two distilleries, staff are preparing options for Council to consider allowing locals and guests to enjoy those products in our beautiful outdoors,” said Penticton’s Director of Developments Services, Blake Laven.
“If Council approves the pilot, all rules of the BC Liquor Act, including responsible behaviour, still apply.”
Council will also look at removing patio permit fees to encourage more business owners to extend their storefronts into the street. Some design standards may also be relaxed.
“Byway of this proposed change, City staff will be able to support our community’s retail and food service industry with fast, flexible, no-cost patio permits to help their operations get back up and running,” said Laven.
And, to further support the idea of “loving local,” council will look at extending free metered street parking downtown, which originally took effect in March due to the pandemic.
“As we adjust to the new norms being established in the era of COVID-19, we need to rethink seasonal patterns of supply and demand that for decades we took for granted and organized our policies and budgets around,” said Penticton’s Chief Financial Officer, Jim Bauer.
“The continuation of the current allowance of free street parking across the entire downtown will give all businesses an equal footing to attract patrons back into their stores when it comes time to reopen.”
The recommendations build on earlier recommendations presented to council by the Economic Recovery Task Force, who outlined various ways the City could help facilitate an effective economic recovery.
“We greatly appreciate the time invested by the Economic Recovery Task Force to provide insight and actionable steps the City can take to help support our local business community,” said Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki.
“Likewise, Council looks forward to receiving the June 2 reports. I believe it’s important to consider a variety of new options and ‘Love Local’ ideas as we take steps to reverse the impacts COVID-19 has had on our economy and community.”
