SUNDRE — Council recently approved a request to enter into an agreement with the owner of a local restaurant, allowing a partial encroachment of a patio on a municipal right-of-way.
The municipality had previously offered temporary patio permits at no cost for the duration of pandemic protocols to accommodate local eateries when the provincial government had rolled restrictions back that banned dine-in traffic.
Chris Vardas, the owner of Original T’s Family Restaurant, had requested the municipality approve the use of a patio extension for a longer period of time as a semi-permanent structure through a license of occupation agreement.
“The agreement would allow the structure to partially encroach into a town right of way . . . for a 10-year period with an option for two additional terms,” said Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer.
“The agreement specifies that if the land within the right of way is required for any municipal purpose, that the Town can provide 30 days notice and the structure must be removed by the licensee at the licensee’s sole cost,” she told council during the June 14 meeting, adding the owner had agreed to the agreement’s terms.
Coun. Rob Wolfe said: “This council has continued to support all our local businesses throughout (the pandemic), albeit on a short-term basis for the patios. But I think we need to support our local businesses on the long-term as well."
Without further discussion, council unanimously carried a motion approving the request.
