Street bump-outs and patio extensions could become the new normal for Sarnia restaurants.
Mayor Mike Bradley wants council to direct staff to consult with restaurant owners on the practices that he said have been beneficial over the past year and a half.
He wants to make sure any decisions made don't have a negative impact on the sector.
"I think we've seen in the last 19 months that the expansion of patios has been a good thing for the community and a lifeline for a number of these places," said Bradley. "We need to do this right, and I'd like to see us look at long-term patio extensions and street bump-outs and to make that part of the streetscape. That's why I've asked for this report to come back before budget. If there are any costs involved, we can deal with it then."
Bradley said the move would ensure the viability of these businesses without complicated and unnecessary regulations.
"I think we've seen this year that the [patio] season is really eight or nine months," he said. "We waived a lot of rules this year, and now it's time to look at if we want to extend doing that because we've had positive results. I don't want to put people through the same process every year where they have to get a permit through the application process. That's as long as their design is appropriate for their area."
City council's next scheduled meeting is September 13.