ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 4, 1999
Author/Local: May Cho/6496
RTS No. 00739
CC File No.

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	The Director of Central Area Planning on behalf of Land Use and Development
SUBJECT:	1191 Robson Street Development Application Number DE404060 Government Liquor Store

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council advise the Director of Central Area Planning on behalf of Land Use and Development that it would favour approval of Development Application Number DE404060 for a Liquor Store at 1191 Robson Street.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

There is no explicit Council policy directly applicable to liquor stores. However, when Council initiated by-law amendments in 1981 to create "Liquor Store" as a conditional approval use to distinguish from the use "Retail Store", it was clearly indicated that this would allow Council an opportunity to evaluate each new proposed location.

PURPOSE

This report seeks any advice that Council may wish to offer concerning a development application to change the use of a portion of the existing building on this site from Retail to provide a Liquor Store ("spirits only" - specialty store) in the existing Retail/Restaurant/Office building.

SITE DESCRIPTION AND CONTEXT

The proposed Liquor Store is located on the north side of Robson Street between Thurlow Street and Bute Street and is within the Downtown (DD) Zoning District. (See Appendix `A' map attached.)

Staff carried out a land use survey of the surrounding area, similar to that which would be done for a licensed liquor outlet. The survey area contains primarily "retail commercial" uses along Robson Street, such as Retail, Office, Restaurant and Hotel. The closest Government Liquor Store is located at 1120 Alberni Street. The closest Residential use is across Bute Street to the west. Residential uses are also located in the RM - 5B zoned area across the lane from the "retail commercial" uses on the south side of Robson Street. Also, within the survey area, there is a Church and a Seniors Care Facility.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

The current development application seeks to change the use of approximately 735 square feet of the ground floor from Retail to provide a Liquor Store ("spirits only" - specialty store). The anticipated hours of operation are: Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The applicant, B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch, advises that this is a new retailing concept for beverage alcohol in B.C. The Branch is in the process of implementing a new retail strategy aimed at better servicing the needs of their customers and making for a more interesting and exciting shopping experience in their stores. As part of this strategy, they are planning a series of small, focused theme stores. One such store will be this "spirits only" specialty boutique, which they believe is best suited for Robson Street.

The product portfolio will include spirit products (hard liquor) only, the majority of the portfolio being high end, unique items such as single malt scotches, cognacs and whiskies targeted for both the tourist market as well as local buyers.

The proposed Liquor Store complies with all relevant provisions of the Zoning and Development By-Law, the Downtown Official Development Plan(DD ODP) and the Parking By-law.

NOTIFICATION

As part of the review of this development application, 1,280 neighbouring property owners were notified of the proposal. The Director of Planning received six individual letters from within the notification area. One letter was in favour which stated that the proposed use will fit in on Robson Street. Five letters were in opposition of the proposed development, however, one letter did not provide a name or address.

A summary of the neighbourhood objections is as follows:

- Increase of noise level in the area;

- Will be more convenient for teens to access liquor;

- Will attract drunks and panhandlers to living environment;

- Worried that liquor store will be open 24 hours;

- Concerned that there are already too many establishments providing alcohol in the area and liquor store will be making situation worse;

- Will negatively impact the "clean" environment of the existing coffee shops and other retail stores in the area;

- Will reduce property value; and

- Is inappropriate at this location due to close proximity to Church and Seniors Care Facility.

The notification area and location of respondents are included on the attached Appendix `A' map.

POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMENTS

The Police Department advises that they do not have any concerns regarding this specialty liquor store. Robson Street is a good location and the absence of beer or wine will certainly reduce or eliminate the attraction for potentially "bad" clients.

CONCLUSION

The proposed development meets the technical requirements of the Zoning and Development, DD ODP and Parking By-Laws. In response to notification, there were five neighbourhood objections received, however, Planning staff do not believe a specialty liquor store at this particular location will have an adverse effect on the neighbourhood. Further, the Police Department does not object to this proposal. The Director of Planning is, therefore, prepared to approve this proposal, but first is seeking any advice which Council may wish to provide.

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General Mgr./Dept. Head:
Date:
This report has been prepared in consultation with the departments listed to the right, and they concur with its contents
Report dated:	June 4, 1999
Author:	May Cho
Phone:	6496
Concurring Departments:

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