Penticton looks to regulate business use of downtown sidewalk space

PENTICTON – Improved pedestrian access with wider sidewalks in the downtown core has led to a new bylaw proposal for businesses on Penticton’s Main Street.

The revitalization of the 200-block of Main Street earlier this year prompted a new look at storefront use policies by city staff, who put together a proposed bylaw using ideas generated from the Downtown Plan.

The proposed bylaw, which will apply to revitalized sections of the downtown core as they are rejuvenated, proposes to describe different scenarios in which business owners can apply to use sidewalk space for individual purposes. The bylaw also outlines how businesses can use the sidewalk space in order to preserve a safe pedestrian walkway around the business.

Staff also propose the waiving of fees for sidewalk use — currently ranging between $100 and $700 per year — for the first three years following revitalization, but a sidewalk permit application will be necessary. Business owners will also be required to pay for installation and construction of a storefront use railing.

Building and Permitting Manager Ken Kunka outlined the bylaw at the Monday, July 4 council meeting. Council elected to endorse the proposal by giving it first, second and third reading.

Enforcement fines are anticipated to come before council at a later date.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.