A request from the Grind to the City of Pembroke about adding two on site smoking locations, with the addition of a patio is not being met with much support of council members. Particularly, Councillor Andrew Plummer.
Councillor Ian Kuehl also noted that it’s not in the Grind’s lease with the Victoria Street building to have a patio, let alone any outdoor space.
While most members of council are not in favor of smoking areas at the facility, Councillor Pat Lafreniere says she wants to meet half way.
A complaint has been received regarding the placement of the patio outside of The Grind. The complainant believes that the patio constitutes an “Outdoor Commercial Patio” as defined by the zoning by-law, and as such, that they are in contravention of zoning by-law provisions. According to Section 2 of Zoning By-law 2020-05, an “Outdoor Commercial Patio shall mean an outdoor area where food, beverage, wine and/or spirits are served to the public or to members of a club or organization.” As none of the aforementioned amenities are being served at or to the patio, and as The Grind is not a “commercial” establishment, staff believes the existing patio does not constitute an “Outdoor Commercial Patio”
(Written by: Kyle Robinson)