Street patios like this one in Kelowna could become more common in Osoyoos. Town staff are working on a bylaw and policy update that will change the Town’s sidewalk use policy. (Town of Osoyoos)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

Having dinner or a drink outside on Main Street could be a lot easier this summer.

Osoyoos town council gave town staff approval on Monday morning to start a bylaw and policy update process that will change the Town’s sidewalk use policy.

Currently, only four small tables are allowed in front of an establishment, senior planner Don McArthur told council.

He said town staff have received inquires from downtown restaurant operators about establishing patios in front of their businesses.

The updated policy and bylaw would allow restaurant owners to apply to construct a patio.

A 1.5 metre pedestrian walk way will be required. For locations where the sidewalk is not wide enough to accommodate both, a walkway will be built over existing parking stalls, which could then be  designated for small cars, bicycles or motorcycles.

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The business owner would be allowed to charge a fee for the parking spaces.

Council unanimously supported the idea, but mayor Sue McKortoff suggested running it by the Town’s accessibility committee for feedback on the amount of sidewalk space.

“I somehow think that because we have this committee that we should just make sure they’re comfortable with it or at least say this is what we’re planning to do,” she said.

“I’d hate to have somebody come back after and say you didn’t ask us for any input.”

Director of planning and development Gina MacKay suggested that because a 1.5 metre walkway would be mandatory but each patio application would differ, they could individually be brought to the committee.

It’s not yet clear when the policy and bylaw update will be brought back to council for approval, but Coun. C. J. Rhodes suggested implementing it before summer.

“It would be nice if we could see some movement forward with this to allow for the tourist season.”