Music almost went way of all those food trucks

Two weeks after a controversially complicated debate doomed the arrival of food trucks in London, city council avoided a similar quagmire Tuesday.

With summer weather nearly here, politicians voted 12-0 to allow acoustic music on bar patios across the city, though it looked for a few moments like the proposal may have been derailed, or at least delayed.

Clearly skittish from the public backlash to the recent food-truck rejection, one councillor urged her colleagues to OK the patio plan.

I dont want to become another story in The Free Press, Coun. Sandy White said.

Councils unanimous vote lifts the ban on non-amplified acoustic music on bar/restaurant patios for this summer. Its a pilot project that will be reviewed next year for any problems.

Coun. Joni Baechler already foresees one, involving residents whose homes abut the patios that may now have live music.

A patio, she said, tends to get a little bit louder as people imbibe a little bit more. Baechler sought to have patios adjacent to homes removed from the pilot project, meaning theyd still be banned from offering acoustic music.

That change, though, likely would have required sending the entire matter back for more public input, which would have slowed the plans rollout at least two more weeks. Several politicians opposed any such delay.

This is patio season now, Coun. Denise Brown said. Lets not be a stuffy city and lets enjoy our summer.

Coun. Paul Hubert noted its a pilot project, so any major issues including a conflict between neighbouring homes and bar patios can be addressed before next summer.

Original post:
Music almost went way of all those food trucks