Saskatoon city administration to review parking patio rules

Administrators at Saskatoon city hall are being asked to review rules around the city's parking patio program.

At a committee meeting on Monday, Oliv Tasting Room manager Tim Bannan told councillors the patios are taking up too many parking spots and costing him money.

"Broadway area, on its best day, is horrible parking," Bannan previously told CBC News. "To remove three spots within a block of my store is definitely detrimental to my business."

• Patios on Saskatoon's Broadway make already 'horrible' parking situation even worse: store manager

At the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services, councillors asked administrators to study patio density and whether there should be a threshold on how many patios should be allowed on the street.

"I'm not suggesting that the threshold needs to be different on what is currently being used," said Councillor Hilary Gough.

"But I think a formal report to this committee with the current review would be helpful, and if there's any data around parking issues that we've experienced."

This year, three restaurants in the Broadway area have installed seasonal patios in the area. Restaurant owners claimthe patios have helped to revitalize the street and drive business to the area.

"My only request to admin is that we really work with the Business Improvement District in establishing if there are some refinements," said Mayor Charlie Clark.

"I think we really rely on the BIDs to figure out the balance between these, and I think they need to be really actively at the table."

The report will be presented to council at a later date.