Silver Heights Restaurant wins appeal to keep contentious patio

The owners of the Silver Heights Restaurant in Winnipeg are celebrating a city decision that allows them to keep their patio open — for now.

The city's appeal committee ruled in favour of the family-run eatery on Friday, despite years of complaints about noise, drinking and traffic from some nearby residents.

The decision is temporary, as the patio has a one-year conditional permit with a number of restrictions in place.

Owner Anthony Siwicki says now that the battle is over, at least for now, he pledges to work with neighbours to find out what he can do to address their concerns.

"Tomorrow I can probably walk on over and knock on a door and say let's work together," he said. "We have people that are closer than the opposition, that don't have a problem with our patio."

Harold Taylor, who led a coalition of concerned residents, says there is a solution that could appease both sides: move the patio away from the back of the restaurant.

"We would encourage them to go for the front patio, and we'll work with them to help on the design side and to help with approval," he said.

Taylor said while both sides can come to a compromise, he added that the restaurant has to be willing to hear the neighbours' concerns.

"I don't have anything against them at all. It's just listen to your neighbours and don't be arrogant about things," he said.

Siwicki said he already closes the patio early, around 9 p.m. and has removed outdoor speakers and beer ads.