And just like that, Hurontario on-street (parking space) patios have returned before we even knew they were gone!
Supplied photo: Sol Kitchen on-street (parking space) Hurontario Street patio
On February 18th Collingwood council voted to eliminate all Hurontario Street on-street (parking space) patios in exchange for gaining back 14 parking spaces. On March 23rd, Collingwood Mayor Yvonne Hamlin introduced a motion to amend the controversial February council decision to allow for their return. Mayor Hamlin voted against the February 18th motion.
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Collingwood hereby enacts the following:
- During 2026, and despite the provisions of Collingwood By-law No. 2023-026 (the “Boulevard Encroachment By-law”):
- Subject to section 2 of this By-law, on-street patios will not be permitted on Hurontario Street.
- Subject to section 3 of this By-law, any patios encroaching onto Town lands will be restricted to a curbside sidewalk location only.
- Only on-street (parking space) patios may be permitted on Hurontario Street in 2026 if granted permission in 2025, subject to the provisions of the Boulevard Encroachment By-law, if
(a) it is in operation a minimum of 6 days week, and
(b) that equivalent parking spaces are made available and approved by the CAO or Director Infrastructure. - A restaurant may be permitted a Storefront Patio Permit if approved for a Storefront Patio Permit in 2025 or prior.
- For greater certainty, this By-law applies exclusively to patio uses during 2026, and does not affect the operation of the Boulevard Encroachment By-law at other times.
In addressing council prior to putting forth her proposed amendment to the February motion, Mayor Hamlin said she did not want to see Collingwood do a trade-off on vibrancy for parking.
“The vibrance of our downtown is what makes people want to live here, visit here and invest here.”
–Mayor Yvonne Hamlin
This latest development at the Town of Collingwood council table continues the ongoing verbal wrestling match that seeks to establish a winning co-existence between cars, parking, shopping, dining, events and pedestrians, a battle not unique to Collingwood but one that required at least a temporary solution for the upcoming warm weather months as the town waits for the final results of a new parking study.
“My goal here is to allow us to maintain the vibrancy of our downtown this summer. Ten patios are affected by the decision of council which in my own view will have a significant impact on the look and feel of our downtown this summer” Hamlin said, adding she sees some urgency in the matter as restaurant operators will soon have to submit applications and are presently working on possible investments and staffing requirements.
The immediate solution for 2026 was to find temporary parking measures within the downtown district to make up for the 14 Hurontario Street parking spaces lost to on-street (parking space) patios.
After meetings with town staff, Mayor Hamlin put forth the proposed solution of providing public parking during the high times for patio use at the staff parking lot behind the Centre for Small Business beside town hall, adding three more full-time spots (between the Ste. Marie Street parking lot and town staff parking lot (pictured above) and introducing the 31 Huron Street Harbour House agreement (pictured below) that saw part of the development approval process include above ground and indoor parking spots for the public in addition to residential spaces and Harbour House use for the new businesses and services now operating at that location.
The recently completed Harbour House retail and condo development in downtown Collingwood will offer public parking in addition to residential and retail parking for the new businesses, services and restaurant now operating.
Collingwood’s downtown district continues to grow, as does the need for additional parking.
In her remarks to council, Mayor Hamlin said she is looking forward to seeing the content to be presented in the new parking study, acknowledging the need for a downtown parking structure may be included in the report.
“When do we need to build that structure? Is it 2027, is it 2030, is it 2035? I think this is what I want to know.” The mayor said when the downtown has exhausted all on-street parking options a parking structure location has already been identified in the downtown master plan. “We know what to do, but whether we need to pull the trigger on it fast, I think that is what I’d be hoping to see.”
For now, the decision has been made to allow the Hurontario on-street (parking space) patios to return for the 2026 season.
— Paul Richards is a retired radio broadcaster, writer, photographer and new media creator.