patio

Saturday January 21, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 21, 2017

Music-on-patio plan tabled

City councillors don’t like the sound of a plan to allow musical entertainment on nightclub patios.

July 31, 2014

A pilot project was tabled Tuesday by the city’s planning committee that would have allowed bar owners to feature ambient music on patios in seven districts in the city, some golf courses and other locations in rural areas.

Councillors decided to deal with the issue at a later date after raising concerns about the potential impact on people who live nearby.

Others said it would be unfair to bar patio owners outside the designated districts on James Street North, Hess Village, the bayfront, Augusta Street, part of Upper James Street and Dundas.

Coun. Brenda Johnson said she had concerns about the plan in rural areas because sound can travel great distances in undeveloped landscapes.

Coun. Jason Farr supported the idea, saying it was consistent with Hamilton’s desire to brand itself as a music city.

The noise level would be kept to 60 decibels, which is the same volume as a discussion at an average planning committee meeting, Farr added. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Monday May 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday May 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Monday May 2, 2016 Get ready for Ôpop-upÕ patios on HamiltonÕs streets this summer Are HamiltonÕs commercial areas ready for Òpop-upÓ patios on parking lots? Hamilton politicians approved a motion at their April 27 council meeting requesting staff to examine a pilot program that would allow local businesses or BIAs to establish temporary, seasonal patios and seating areas using on-street parking spaces. The program would begin in 2016. ÒThis is very innovative and non-expensive for the taxpayer,Ó said Mountain councillor Donna Skelly who supported the idea. She said after the reconstruction of Concession Street last year, there are some businesses which would benefit from the extra business by allowing outdoor patios on the street. ÒThis is an opportunity for Concession Street,Ó said Skelly. Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead also supported the motion, introduced by Ward 3 councillor Matthew Green. But he wanted to allow patios for commercial areas that are not in a BIA. Whitehead also insisted that business owners who want to establish patios on the street have the proper insurance. After some squabbling among councillors, WhiteheadÕs amendment was approved by council. Although no councillor opposed the idea, staff will examine if having a patio on the street will impede traffic, impact parking revenues and pose a safety issue. BIAs that could look at the idea includes Stoney Creek, Concession Street, Ottawa Street, Lock Street, Waterdown, and Ancaster. So-called Òpop-upÓ patios have proved popular in New York City, Toronto, Orillia, and St. Catharines, where that cityÕs council approved it in 2012. A fee of $300 is charged to the business to cover the cost of parking. These patios canÕt serve liquor because of liquor laws involving public sidewalks, and businesses are not allowed to brand the place. Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the motion is another step to increase the ÒvitalityÓ to Hamilto

Get ready for ‘pop-up’ patios on Hamilton’s streets this summer

Are Hamilton’s commercial areas ready for “pop-up” patios on parking lots?

Hamilton politicians approved a motion at their April 27 council meeting requesting staff to examine a pilot program that would allow local businesses or BIAs to establish temporary, seasonal patios and seating areas using on-street parking spaces. The program would begin in 2016.

“This is very innovative and non-expensive for the taxpayer,” said Mountain councillor Donna Skelly who supported the idea.

She said after the reconstruction of Concession Street last year, there are some businesses which would benefit from the extra business by allowing outdoor patios on the street.

“This is an opportunity for Concession Street,” said Skelly.

Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead also supported the motion, introduced by Ward 3 councillor Matthew Green. But he wanted to allow patios for commercial areas that are not in a BIA. Whitehead also insisted that business owners who want to establish patios on the street have the proper insurance.

After some squabbling among councillors, Whitehead’s amendment was approved by council.

Although no councillor opposed the idea, staff will examine if having a patio on the street will impede traffic, impact parking revenues and pose a safety issue.

BIAs that could look at the idea includes Stoney Creek, Concession Street, Ottawa Street, Lock Street, Waterdown, and Ancaster.

So-called “pop-up” patios have proved popular in New York City, Toronto, Orillia, and St. Catharines, where that city’s council approved it in 2012. A fee of $300 is charged to the business to cover the cost of parking.

These patios can’t serve liquor because of liquor laws involving public sidewalks, and businesses are not allowed to brand the place.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the motion is another step to increase the “vitality” to Hamilton’s streets. Another barrier that restaurants have that council should consider lifting is the city has banned music being played in patios. He compared the patio music bylaw to the city’s ban on tobogganing. Council this winter season allowed tobogganing in certain areas of the city for the first time. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Wednesday August 14, 2013

Wednesday August 14, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 14, 2013

Late-night python startles Hess bar patrons

For SaleA group of bar patrons got a late-night surprise when they ran into a three-foot python on their way out of Hess Village.

Hamilton animal control was called on Aug. 7 around 3 a.m. after the patrons left the bar and found the snake slithering into some bushes in a lot near King Street West and Hess Street.

According to the Reptile Store, located a dozen or so blocks from where the serpent was discovered, these snakes are not dangerous.

The ball python is “if not the most popular species of snake, definitely the most popular python,” said Jon Kendrick, business manager of reptilestore.ca.

They get their name because, when startled, they coil up, tucking their head into the middle — like a ball.

They’re timid, Kendrick says, which makes them popular pets.

Because of its “handle-ability,” this one was likely a pet, animal control supervisor Cal Burnett said.

But animal control doesn’t know to whom the snake belongs or from where it came.
The escapee didn’t come from the Reptile Store, Kendrick ensures.

“Again, thankfully, they don’t pose a threat of any significance unless you’re a small mouse.”

Last week, a 45-kilogram African rock python killed two boys — 4-year-old Noah Barthe and his 6-year-old brother, Connor — after it strangled them in a New Brunswick apartment. (Source: CBC News)