To the editor:
A recent letter in your newspaper posed some questions about how the City of Kelowna’s new Bernard Avenue Patio Seating Program will work. (Restaurant Patios A Wily Scheme by City, March 28 Capital News.)
The program will allow all businesses on Bernard Avenue from Abbott Street to Richter Street the ability to have a patio.
The revitalized Bernard Avenue sidewalks have a three-metre section in front of every business for this purpose.
There is an additional two-metre section for pedestrians and a 1.9 metre section for trees, benches and other furnishings.
In order to encouraging businesses to use these spaces, the city will provide free rent for the first two years. Based on the value of improvements, additional rental reductions for the third year are available.
The rental rates after the first three years have been set through an independent appraisal. Future rental rate increases will be tied to the cost of living index until 2020.
Some businesses will be able to take advantage of this space year-round and will be charged rent accordingly, while some businesses will only make use of the space during the warmer months.
In order to extend the use of the outdoor space, patio heaters and canopies are allowed.
Staff have already received applications for patios and anticipate receiving many more.
This summer, the city looks forward to seeing a number of outdoor patios along a lively new Bernard Avenue.
Ron Forbes,
property manager,
City of Kelowna
