St. John’s city council is encouraging business owners to get their applications in early for their annual parklet program.
Parklets are decks constructed outside businesses for use in the summer and fall, usually on city-owned land such as sidewalks and roadways. The most notable example is what’s done during the pedestrian mall on Water Street.
Councilor Debbie Hanlon says feedback on the program has been positive in the past, with 80 parklets being approved last year.
There has been some opposition, however, with Hanlon noting that they have received pushback before in instances where the restaurant or lounge is located close to a residential area.
Hanlon is stressing the importance of businesses applying early, because they not only need approval from the city, but also from Service NL, the NLC, and regional fire services, making the process a bit lengthy.