City giving businesses elbow room

Vernon businesses are being given more room to operate outdoors.

Council has approved temporary measures allowing businesses to expand into adjacent public spaces and private parking lots.

This will allow businesses to adhere more easily to social distancing requirements.

Council has also granted a blanket pre-approval to support businesses that would like to apply to the province to serve alcohol in these outdoor spaces.

“Enabling businesses to quickly and easily use adjacent outdoor space will support them in meeting requirements for physical distancing measures,” said Mayor Victor Cumming in a news release.

Starting on June 1, businesses in the two downtown Business Improvement Areas will be able to expand commercial uses (such as restaurant seating, retail space and queuing areas) into on-street parking spaces until Sept. 30, and into sidewalks until Dec. 31.

Businesses will be required to enter into agreement with the city and follow a set of guidelines but will not need to get a permit or pay a fee.

Also starting June 1, businesses that have adjacent private parking lots will be allowed to expand their commercial uses into as much as 50% of their parking area until Sept. 30.

City staff will also be reviewing the idea of closing some or all of 30th Avenue, between 29th Street and 35th Street, to through traffic.

Staff will report back to council with recommendations in June.