Larger business patios possible in Kawartha Lakes

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DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The City of Kawartha Lakes is looking to help businesses, like restaurants and stores, struggling due to COVID-19, by allowing an increased footprint to establish patios. The decision was a recommendation made by the city’s economic recovery task force. “The group reached a consensus on allowing stores and restaurants to extend their footprint and patios onto municipal property, such as sidewalks and parking spaces, to offset the need for physical distancing,” read a Kawartha Lakes press release. Mayor Andy Letham explained what this will look like, during a telephone press conference, on Wednesday, June 3rd. “We’ll let them use as much sidewalk as they need, or part of a parking lot, or whatever’s needed. We’re going to try to be as flexible as we can as a municipality, to allow them to spread out a little bit. We might lose a few parking spaces on some of the roadways, to allow access for pedestrians. I know people are very excited about their parking spaces in this city, but we’re going to lose a few, and if that means we can help some of our local businesses, then that is what we are going to do,” the Mayor stated. At the City’s June 23rd council meeting, members of council are expected to discuss whether to waive all patio inspection and license fees.

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