Patio-loving Vancouverites have a reason to raise their glasses after city councillors approved a motion to extend hours on the sunny summer gathering spots.
Mayor Gregor Robertson’s push to let a select number of restaurants keep patios open past the current 11 p.m. cutoff passed unanimously on Monday.
City staff have been tasked with finding a short-term plan that could see some patios staying open later by the end of the summer.
Only establishments with a “track record of good behaviour” will be considered for extended hours, and Robertson said the city will try to focus on areas where there is less residential housing.
Council has also asked staff to put together recommendations for long-term policy changes to expand patio space, relax fencing rules and make the patio permit process more efficient.
The city currently has 577 patios.
A Facebook poll created by the mayor’s office asking for feedback on the motion got support from 96 percent of respondents. Only 1.6 per cent were opposed, while the remainder said they needed more information.
