CITY OF VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
June 7, 1995
A Regular Meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was
held on Wednesday, June 7, 1995, at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Committee
Room No. 2, third floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Ip (Items 1, 2 and 3)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Judy Rogers
CLERK: Jean Sharpe
Power to Act
On January 11, 1994, Council by the required majority, granted the
Commission Power to Act on all unanimous decisions. The decisions of
the Commission contained herein are unanimous and, therefore, stand
approved.
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission meeting of
May 4, 1995, were adopted as circulated.
Vary Order of the Agenda
The Commission agreed to vary the order of the agenda.
1. 952 Granville Street - Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub
490799 B.C. Ltd. (Gilligan's Entertainment Inc.)
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised that
the applicant had withdrawn this application in light of the moratorium
in the Downtown South area.
2. 932 Granville Street - The Roxy Cabaret Ltd.
Increase in Seating Capacity
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised that at
the request of the applicant, this application be withheld for at least
a month, in view of the moratorium in the Downtown South area.
- - -
Councillor Kennedy left the Chair at this point in the meeting, due
to a conflict of interest with the application from Rock & Roll
Enterprises #2 Ltd. Councillor Hemer assumed the Chair.
- - -
3. 688 West Hastings Street - Rock & Roll Enterprises
#2 Ltd. (Hard Rock Cafe) Restaurant - Class 'B'2
The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated May 11,
1995, in which the Deputy Chief License Inspector reported on the
request from Rock & Roll Enterprises #2 Ltd. for a Council resolution
endorsing its application for a Restaurant-Class 'B'2 in the proposed
Hard Rock Cafe at 688 West Hastings Street.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, reviewed the
report noting this restaurant, located in the DD (Downtown District),
had recently opened as a Class 1 restaurant and was now applying for a
Class 'B'2 license as there will be occasional live entertainment. In
keeping with the Hard Rock Cafe theme, music videos are positioned
throughout the restaurant. Due to the type of occasional live
entertainment 12-15 times a year, and its location in a business and
hotel area, it is anticipated there will be very little negative
neighbourhood impact.
Mr. Bert Hick, representing the applicant, circulated a brief (on
file) requesting approval of this application and noted a substantial
number of letters in support (approximately 102 letters on file). Mr.
Hick referred to a letter from the LC&LB to Mr. Tom Goodchild,
President, Rock & Roll Enterprises #2 Ltd., that approved the hours of
operation; an area as a bandstand and dance floor; and occasional live
musical entertainment provided the number of events is limited to a
maximum of 18 days a year. It
cont'd....
Clause No. 3 (cont'd)
was pointed out that there was some misunderstanding with regard to the
material to be shown on the television monitors and this matter is being
discussed with the LC&LB. In conclusion, Mr. Hick requested the
Commission's approval of Recommendation A.
Mr. Tom Goodchild, President, Rock & Roll Enterprises #2 Ltd.,
advised the Hard Rock Cafe caters to people of all ages and families and
is not a night club. He pointed out there would not be a lot of live
entertainment as this would eliminate tables from the eating area. Mr.
Goodchild clarified that the concept of the TV monitors was to show rock
videos and not sporting events.
Following a short discussion, the following motion by Councillor
Kwan was put and CARRIED. Therefore, the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the
application by Rock & Roll Enterprises #2 Ltd., for a Restaurant-
Class 'B'2 at the proposed Hard Rock Cafe, 688 West Hastings
Street, having considered the support of residents and business
operators of the community as determined by neighbourhood
notification.
- - -
At this point in the meeting, Councillor Hemer left the Chair and
it was assumed by Councillor Kennedy.
- - -
4. Motor Vessel "Vancouver Sunset"
Class 'A' Lounge Liquor License
The Commission considered a May 10, 1995 Administrative Report (on
file), in which the Deputy Chief License Inspector reported on the
request by Marco Polo Yacht Charters Inc. for a Council resolution
endorsing its request for a Class "A' liquor license on board the Motor
Vessel Vancouver Sunset.
The report noted this type of application did not require mail
notification or referendum, as under this class of license, liquor can
only be served while the vessel is at sea and should not impact
surrounding neighbourhoods.
cont'd....
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
The Vancouver Police Department, Marine Squad, advised the
Vancouver Sunset had received its Canadian Shipping Act certification
from the Coast Guard. The Environmental Health Division had no
objection to this application.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, reviewed the
report noting staff recommended approval of this application.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request
from Marco Polo Yacht Charters Inc. for a Class 'A' liquor license
on board the M.V. Vancouver Sunset.
5. 898 Seymour Street - Ahmad Maroufi and Masud Golchin
Class 'C' Cabaret Liquor License
The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated May 23,
1995, in which the Deputy Chief License Inspector reported on a request
from Ahmad Maroufi and Masud Golchin for a Council resolution endorsing
its application for a 350-seat Class 'C' Cabaret at 898 Seymour Street.
As the subject premises is located one-half block away from the Downtown
South liquor licensing moratorium area, staff were recommending this
application be deferred until the Downtown South Liquor Licensing Task
Force work is complete and reported to Council.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, reviewed the
report, noting this application for a 350-seat cabaret is the maximum
size allowed under the Provincial liquor licensing guidelines. The
concerns of the Planning Department with the impact on potential
residential development was pointed out. Also, the Planning and Social
Planning Departments felt any decision which could result in a
significant increase in seating should await Council's review of the
final report of the Downtown South Liquor Licensing Task Force. Mr.
Teichroeb advised that should the Commission prefer not to defer this
application, it was suggested this matter be referred to referendum.
cont'd....Clause No. 5
(cont'd)
Clarification of the moratorium boundaries for Downtown South and
concern with the close proximity of the proposed cabaret to this area
was discussed.
The following motion by Councillor Kwan was put and CARRIED.
Therefore, it was
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission defer the
application by Ahmad Maroufi and Masud Golchin for a 350-seat Class
'C' Cabaret at 898 Seymour street, until the Downtown South Liquor
Licensing Task Force work is complete and reported to Council.
6. 300 Cambie Street, Cambie Hotel
Change of Hours in Class 'A' Pub
The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated May 18,
1995, in which the Deputy Chief License Inspector reported on an
application from 343624 B.C. Ltd., doing business as the Cambie Hotel,
requesting a Council resolution for a change in hours in the Class 'A'
Pub. The current hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to ll:00 p.m. seven
days a week. The requested hours are 11:00 to 1:00 a.m. Monday to
Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight on Sunday.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, reviewed the
report noting the subject premise is located in the Gastown liquor
license moratorium area, close to retail stores, offices and residential
hotels. The proposed closing of the pub would coincide with the
restaurant currently open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., but there were
concerns with noise and the impact on the residential neighbourhood.
Part of the restoration of the hotel includes the single room
occupancies (SROs) and work is underway on the top two floors of the
building, with a change towards a bed and breakfast theme. Also, a
development application has been submitted for the restoration of the
heritage facade on both Cambie and Cordova Streets. The Social Planning
Department has concerns with the potential loss of affordable housing
because of the proposed change. The Social Planning Department and the
Manager of the Housing Centre were also concerned the later hours will
have a negative impact on the neighbourhood and its implication on
future residents of the Woodward's site.
cont'd....
Clause No. 6 (cont'd)
The Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee supported the
application to alter the hours, but was not supportive of live
entertainment.
Inspector Bob Taylor, Vancouver Police Department, reported there
had been no trouble with the Cambie Hotel's present management, but was
concerned the proposed later hours may cause problems as patrons leave
the premises.
Mr. Sam Yehia, applicant and owner of the Cambie Hotel for the last
five years, described his vision for restoring the Cambie Hotel and
providing a softer image to the heritage building. With the aid of
floor plans, he reviewed the proposed changes to relocate the restaurant
to the front and the bar and pub to the rear portion of the building.
Mr. Yehia circulated a brief entitled "Proposed Voluntary Agreements by
Owner of Cambie Hotel" (on file), and advised of the steps taken in his
proposal to address the noise issues to ensure peace and security for
his tenants and surrounding area. Also circulated was a petition of
approximately 600 signatures and letters in support of the application.
In response to members, Mr. Yehia advised the proposed restoration
would continue even if his application was denied.
Mr. Jim Lehto, agent for the applicant, spoke to the plan to
upgrade the hotel with less emphasis on the sale of liquor and more on
food promotion and heritage conservation so as to promote tourism in the
area. He noted Mr. Yehia's business record has been clean, unlike
others in the district, and felt this application was worthy of the
Commission's consideration.
Mr. Soren Rasmussen, architect, with the aid of plans, reviewed the
proposed changes to the interior, the restoration to the facade and the
new entrance to the pub.
Mr. Ian Macrae, DERA, did not support this application, and would
like to see all establishments in the area close at 11:00 p.m. He also
expressed concern with the potential loss of affordable housing with the
proposed restoration and noted other buildings in the area up for sale
that may put affordable housing at risk. Mr. Macrae also referred to a
report on the number of licensed seats in Gastown, and Mr. Teichroeb
clarified this did not include restaurant seats.
cont'd....
Clause No. 6 (cont'd)
The following spoke in support of this application:
Charles B. Kerr, resident, Cambie Hotel
Ross Powell, doorman
Danielle Wittmyer, barmaid
Percy Allen, security
Roz Demerais, bartender
Clive Warren, area businessman
Steve Lippold, area merchant
Lisa Sven, area merchant
Davide Pan, area businessman.
The following comments were submitted by the foregoing:
- pub and hotel well managed;
- good security;
- noise minimal;
- establishment has high respect level from public;
- laid back establishment - no fights;
- under Mr. Yehia's management clientele is better;
- clientele hardworking people;
- proposed restoration will improve quality of life;
- patrons of all ages;
- do not think there will be more noise with change in hours;
- distinct and indigent population;
- extra help at door to ensure people leave quietly;
- a petition showed support of the businesses in the area and
other members of the community.
Mr. Danny Fleck, Danny's Inn (located across the street from the
Cambie Hotel), was opposed to the application and circulated a petition
from his tenants and spoke to the noise level that at present is
unbearable.
In discussion, Mr. Yehia was congratulated for the proposed plans
for the restoration of this heritage building. It was noted the
proposed voluntary agreement submitted by Mr. Yehia was not legally
binding. Also, because of a liability issue, a security patrol of the
street to assist noisy patrons was not recommended by staff. As there
is currently a moratorium in the area, and because of concern with the
negative impact on the neighbourhood of another late night licensed
facility, it was felt a change in the hours of operation was not
appropriate at this time.
cont'd....
Clause No. 6 (cont'd)
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission reaffirm the Gastown
liquor license moratorium and advise the Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch it does not endorse the application by 343624 B.C.
Ltd., (Cambie Hotel), for a change of hours in the Class 'A' Pub at
300 Cambie Street.
* * *
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m.