The City of Vancouver is set to consider bylaw changes that aim to create a regulatory environment that could help businesses make a profit during the 2010 Olympic Games.
"Vancouver is preparing to host the largest celebration the City has ever seen," Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said.
"The bylaw changes Council will consider on July 21 are designed to give businesses and organizers the tools they need to prepare for a very successful and safe Games celebration," he said.
The proposed bylaw changes include:
- Temporarily increasing the number of taxi and limousine licenses to make it easier for residents and visitors to move around the city.
- Extending the hours of restaurant patio service as well as restaurant seating capacity.
- Requiring the timely removal of graffiti and unauthorized commercial advertising on construction-site fencing and other sites.
- Prohibiting weapons and alcohol at the City's live entertainment sites and introducing security screenings at the entrance to the sites.
- Allowing trucks to make deliveries 24 hours a day in the downtown area.
- Adjusting the start time for refuse pick up each day.
If approved by council, the bylaw changes would be in effect from January 1 through March 31, 2010.
