=== Restaurants may be allowed outdoor terraces in winter, under proposed new amendment to city bylaw 

Jordan Gowling

The Association des professionnels, industriels et commerçants d'Aylmer (APICA) has proposed a regulatory amendment to Articles 182 and 184 of a Gatineau bylaw, that would authorize businesses to keep their terraces open for the winter months.

APICA is working with municipal councillor Audrey Bureau, to ask the City of Gatineau to allow restaurants to adapt their patios for winter months, as most businesses are only able to seat 50 per cent of their inside capacity under COVID-19 guidelines.

A merchant already approached the city about the amendment to the by-law but the city declined, according to Nathalie Rodrigue, director general of APICA. She says restaurants on rue Principale were consulted on the change to the bylaw, and APICA received an overall positive response to the proposal. 

The conditions of the bylaw include an authorization for restaurants to add a roof or awning for its terraces during the summer months. The proposed amendment would allow restaurants to keep such installments for the period between November 30, 2020 and March 31, 2021, which is currently not allowed. 

Businesses must follow certain conditions, which include: the awning and/or roof must be made of non-combustible and fireproof materials and roof drainage must be at least 0.5 metres from any property line. Restaurants must also follow rules in accordance to the uses of their business permits.

Rodrigue says Bureau will present the proposal to the council this month.