The Kincardine BIA is looking to council to help ensure downtown businesses can add outdoor seating in nice weather.
Darrel Perry, who also owns Penetangear on Queen Street, says that during COVID, downtown businesses were able to continue to serve customers thanks to outdoor patios.
Perry says that the BIA also heard from businesses on Queen Street that they would embrace patio seating if financial barriers were alleviated by the municipality.
The BIA recommends that the Municipality of Kincardine reduce or remove the cost for those businesses to rent jersey barriers.
They also recommended removing the application costs to businesses who would like to have a seasonal patio, and make permitting easier.
The third recommendation made was to reinstate Spruce The Bruce Grants for the 2025 season.
Council will consider the cost to the municipality for discounting or covering the jersey barrier rental fees during Monday’s special budget meeting.
Further consideration for streamlining the application process to get a seasonal patio will be considered at a meeting in February.
