Cafe and restaurant owners wanting to set up tables and chairs on city sidewalks in Coquitlam can now have their patrons dine al fresco.
On Monday, city council passed a new sidewalk cafe use policy that charges businesses for the privilege of placing tables, chairs, sun umbrellas and standing signs on city sidewalks or pedestrian rights of way.
The permit levies are based on the number of movable items put outside during operating hours: three tables and six chairs will cost $125 annually; six tables and 12 chairs will cost $250 per year; and nine tables and 18 chairs will cost $375 annually.
Coun. Lou Sekora opposed the regulation at Monday's council meeting, saying the city is overtaxing businesses. "I think it's going way too far. We are killing business," he said of the new table and chair fees.
But Mayor Richard Stewart argued the policy "is a great help for the businesses and it's something they have been asking for," he said, commenting that the costs were moderate.
"I think this is very pro-business," Coun. Terry O'Neill added. "We are enhancing our street life."
Other Coquitlam council news:
SHARK FIN BAN
Coun. Mae Reid served a notice of motion this week to call for a ban on shark fins in Coquitlam.
Her motion, which is set to be debated at next Monday's city council meeting, follows a plea from Fin Donnelly, a former Coquitlam councillor and now New Westminster-Coquitlam NDP MP, who last November launched a petition to stop the import of shark fins to Canada. The fins are used to make soup in some Chinese restaurants.
Donnelly said shark overfishing has resulted in the near-extinction of several species. Reid's motion, if approved, would apply to the possession and sale of shark fins within the city limits.
Port Moody city council was to vote last night (Tuesday) on a similar motion.
