An application for an outdoor patio at MacLaren’s pub on Elgin Street was approved by the city’s transportation committee Wednesday, despite objections from some residents.
The committee voted 6 to 1 to accept a staff report, which recommended waiving the bylaw provisions that prohibit outdoor patios near residential areas.
The committee also accepted pub owner Brian Karam’s assurance that noise from the patio would not be a problem.
“No one has any more concerns about noise than myself, I believe, and nobody can point to any noise from MacLaren’s from the past 15 years,” he said.
Karam has his own interests in ensuring that noise would be kept to a minimum, as any disruption would impact the guests at his hotel located above MacLaren’s pub.
“We’re the most popular hotel in Ottawa,” Karam said, “and travellers want a good night’s sleep.”
Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes countered and said even talking on an outdoor patio can be disturbing to nearby residents. She said the surrounding high rises make the situation worse by amplifying the noise.
“We have a responsible owner who will do his best to keep noise down. There will just be people talking,” she said. “But people talking loudly on a Saturday night is what it takes.”
The committee’s recommendation will go before city council on Friday.