It is a small line included in the document unveiled last Monday by the City of Paris, which has escaped many, but which changes everything.
Earlier this week, Emmanuel Grégoire, Anne Hidalgo's first deputy, and Olivia Polski, the deputy in charge of trade, presented a summary of the new regulation of terraces in the capital.
In particular, it pursues the objective of perpetuating and supervising the ephemeral terraces - now called “summer” - created last year to enable professionals to face the health crisis.
These can now be deployed, from April to October, in parking spaces, medians or plots.
But the regulations also change for so-called “annual” terraces.
Those that we knew before the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Many restaurateurs have pointed out to us that they do not have sufficient space in front of their business to install a classic terrace", emphasizes Olivia Polski.
"It's still 15 more place settings"
So for those, the City widens the field of possibilities.
From July 1, date of entry into force of the new regulations, an annual terrace may be installed on a parking space.
It is this point of detail that had gone unnoticed last Monday.
And which still seems unknown to all.
“I have heard everything and its opposite.
If so, so much the better.
Settling in a parking space is the only way for me to have a terrace.
And it is all the same 15 places more, rejoices Claude Colliot, restaurateur established in rue des Blancs-Manteaux (IVe).
Of course I will ask for it.
In winter, at the slightest ray of sunshine, my clients would like to be able to sit outside.
If it's cold, just give them a blanket.
"
As for residents, we are less enthusiastic.
“I bought an apartment above a restaurant that does not have a terrace, but which has installed one in a parking space with the Covid.
I made an effort so far, saying nothing.
But if she stays all year ... I have a light sleeper 4 year old!
»Cries Cécile, a resident of central Paris, a district which will be particularly affected by this revolution because of its narrow sidewalks.
Lights out at 10 p.m.
Except that Olivia Polski wants to reassure.
These annual terraces installed on parking spaces must respect the regulations… of summer terraces.
Lights out at 10 p.m. instead of 2 a.m., heating prohibited, just like amplified music, etc.
“These terraces will be very limited, very supervised. As well as closely watched, by the municipal police but also by
jellyfish
, these sound sensors that we will multiply, ”insists the elected. Which recalls one of the objectives pursued with this reform: “Offer new uses to the space freed up by the upcoming elimination of more than 60,000 parking spaces. It's a new way of seeing the city, of rethinking the public space. "
A vision that not all Parisians share. “We are very angry. This provision was never discussed during the pseudo-consultation organized by the City, enraged Amélie Terrien, from the Right to the Top collective. We can already see the nuisance caused by the summer terraces, and the anger that sets in. It is said that neighbors on noisy terraces are starting to throw buckets of water at customers. When you are in despair, the risk is to end up taking justice into your own hands. »What Amélie Terrien does not encourage. But it supports the desire of other associations to initiate appeals against this new regulation.
