A licenced patio is on its way to The Ward, to be shared by the three small businesses at 60 Ontario St., including “Canada’s smallest bar” Standing Room Only.
It received unanimous approval Thursday from the city’s committee of adjustment, after several area residents shared concerns with the idea and others offered praise.
The proposed patio is 33.9 square metres (365 square feet).
“I have considered this a lot over the last … couple years since it came forward and I have balanced it in my head, both pro and con,” said committee chair James Smith, referring to a series of minor adjustment requests from building and bar co-owner Mike Watt.
This was the second, identical request for a licenced patio. The first, made last year, was deferred after CofA members expressed support for the patio, but not the ability to serve alcohol on it.
Conditions of approval include that the patio close at 11 p.m., that safety barriers be installed around the patio to separate it from the roadway, and that the patio be built to the size and scope of plans presented to the CofA.
“I wouldn’t mind living in proximity to a place like this,” Smith added of the shared patio. “I may be of an older vintage but I’m ok with that on balance, despite everything that has been said both for and against the proposal.”
Approval came after the committee heard objections including noise, lighting, parking, garbage and more.
“The real issue here is that the building, the property and its location in a residential neighbourhood is not and has never been suitable for all of the uses the property owner would like approved,” Russell Morton wrote to the committee, referring to four bylaw amendments sought in the past three years.
“There must come a point where we find a solution to this and move on, as continuing to go through this process with such regularity is exhausting and disruptive. The neighbourhood has been largely accommodating of previous changes.”
Not everyone stood in opposition of the patio.
“The Ward has long needed a place such as this and I feel we should seize every opportunity to ensure it flourishes,” wrote Sarah Steeves. “I recognize there could be certain implications such as parking or noise, and understand these need to be taken into account, but I do feel the overall benefit to the neighbourhood wellbeing outweighs any negatives.”
Though the request itself hadn’t changed since last year, efforts were made to address some of the concerns. A second bathroom is being added to the bar and there’s a pledge in place to end alcohol sales at 11 p.m. daily.
In terms of noise, a consultant for the owner insists that’s the responsibility of patrons and not the businesses. The same goes for any on-street parking, as there are no parking spaces provided now or in the patio plan.
Patio lighting is to consist of string lights that “glow” – something akin to deck lighting used regularly in residential areas.
The CofA decision does not have to be ratified by council but can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
