Ottawa's patio restrictions unfair, says Union Local 613

Centretown restaurant Union Local 613 wants to put a 30-seat patio in its narrow driveway on Somerset St. West but the city is insisting it must keep the area clear for delivery truck parking.

Restaurant co-owner Ivan Gedz told CBC News that trucks generally park legally on the street in front of the old converted home during deliveries.

"(The City) felt it was an essential part of our business operation to have that there for deliveries of goods," Gedz said. 

"We showed them pictures of trucks being parked out all over the street and so on and so forth but they were worried of  increasing congestion on Somerset St. and our position was that we're not changing that whatsoever — it is that way as it stands."

As patio season begins, he said it's crucial for his business to offer outdoor seating. The city rejected his proposal for a patio two years ago but he's hoping a minor variance to make the patio slightly small could lead to an approval. 

Somerset Councillor Catherine McKenney is asking the city's planning department to take another look at Gedz's patio request.

Union 613 posted images of delivery trucks on Somerset St. West on its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts on Thursday to emphasize its point.