Parts and Labour's roof-top garden in Oct. 2010. The establishment wants to put a patio in. Photo courtesy of Parts and Labour

By Beth Macdonell

On March 9, The city’s Committee of Adjustment panel turned down a request by Parts and Labour (1566 Queen St. W.) to construct a roof-top patio.

Eighteen opposing community members showed up at the meeting and 68 people signed a petition submitted to the committee against an outdoor space, says Josie Kruzick, whose daughter owns a building next to Parts. Madam Gillian Burton noted the committee received many letters on the matter. Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 14, Parkdale-High Park)  also sent the committee his recommendation to refuse the application.

If passed, the patio would have increased the venue’s capacity from 417 to 645 patrons. The roof-top is currently used as a garden to supply ingredients for the establishment’s restaurant, and holds some of the space’s mechanical equipment.

Those against the patio say the venue hasn’t respected neighbours and additional outdoor space will just make matters worse. “There is no proof that there will be more concern, or attention, or expertise applied to the roof-top patio than there will be to the front of the building,” says Josée Brome, a tenant living across the street.“I’ve nothing to say about what goes on inside, but I have not had a good night’s sleep on a night they’ve been open since they’ve opened.”

At decision time, committee member Robert Brown chastised the owners for not being clear in their intent.  “As businessmen, you should have better answers. Would you be playing music? Will this be broadcast on the patio? No live bands?”

“My gut reaction is to refuse this application,” he continued.  “I don’t think they’ve been sensitive to the neighbourhood with their existing operation … the fact that they haven’t done a noise study—listen, if you are an experienced operator you know exactly what you want to do.”

The owners say they need to ensure they get a return on their investment, but are willing to compromise with neighbours. “Obviously we’d like to be open until 2 a.m., but we are open to a bargaining process,” said Parts co-owner Jesse Girard to the committee.

“It wasn’t a decision that we didn’t expect,” co-owner Richard Lambert told the Gleaner after the meeting. “It doesn’t matter if you try for a patio on Queen East, or Parkdale, or anywhere in Toronto. People understand that people like to drink outside, but not in their area.”

The owners say there are many Parkdalians who welcome Parts and Labour, and would by happy to see a patio.

The agent and architect representing Parts told the committee  that the business held a community meeting in January where they received support for the patio, and said he was surprised by the amount of opposition at the committee adjustment meeting.

“I get emails from people that support us, but they are not going to take the day off work [to come and speak]. The other people just show up. They are making themselves heard and other people aren’t,” says Lambert.

As for what’s next, Lambert says he can’t confirm if they will appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. “Many of our patrons have told us they would enjoy an outdoor patio and we are trying to provide that.”