The City of Parksville is temporarily allowing restaurant seating or queuing on public sidewalks and parking lots to help with spacing to meet the physical distancing requirements due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Businesses may also use on-site private parking to expand seating. Businesses wishing to expand outdoor seating areas the city has come up with guidelines.
For private property parking lots, no city permit is required. But they have to ensure the proposed seating are is entirely on private property.
Before proceeding, businesses have to prepare a site plan that would create space for pedestrians including those with mobility devices like scooters or wheelchairs.
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As well, safety precautions need to be considered such as making sure the seating area does not conflict with traffic, ensure all government approvals are obtained and also ensure there are no concerns with noise or nuisances.
For public property sidewalks or parking, licence of occupation from the city is required. Businessess will need to submit a site plan to the city, consider safety precautions, ensure all government approvals are obtained, prepare a list of contacts the city can reach in the event of an issue or emergency, ensure adequate insurance coverage.
For more information, contact administration@parksville.ca or 250-954-3060.
— NEWS Staff, submitted