ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 7, 2000
Author/Local: M.Cho/6496
RTS No. 01534
CC File No. 2604

P&E: June 22, 2000

TO:	Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM:	Director of Current Planning
SUBJECT:	2335 Cambie Street

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council advise the Director of Planning that it would favour approval of Development Application Number DE404915 for a liquor store at 2335 Cambie Street subject to conditions that address the treatment to the underground parking and landscaping concept.

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 government liquor stores. However, when 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 Council may wish to offer concerning a development application to change the use of the existing restaurant - Class 1 (existing McDonald's Restaurant) to provide a government liquor store. (Relocating the existing liquor store across the street at 550 West 8th Avenue.)

SITE DESCRIPTION AND CONTEXT

The proposed liquor store is located on the northwest corner of Cambie Street and West 8th Avenue and is within a C-3A Zoning District. (See Appendix 'A' attached.)

Staff carried out a land use survey of the surrounding area, similar to that which would be done for a licensed liquor outlet, as covered by Council policy. The survey area contains primarily commercial and residential uses. The closest government liquor store is located across the street at 550 West 8th Avenue, however, this liquor store will be closed in March 2001, to accommodate the new liquor store.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

The current development application seeks to change the use of approximately 598.6 m²/6,444.0 sq.ft. of the existing restaurant - Class 1 (existing McDonald's Restaurant) to provide a government liquor store. The lease for the existing liquor store located at 550 West 8th Avenue will expire in March 2001, and as a result, the proposal would involve a relocation to the subject site (2335 Cambie Street), across the street.

The applicant, B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB), advises that they are working on new retailing concepts for beverage alcohol in Vancouver. The new location will feature design, decor and colours which reflect this new image and provide a more functional, efficient and customer-friendly store layout. The LDB is committed to providing an interesting, unique and exciting shopping experience at this new location. (See attached Appendix `B'.)

Presently, the LDB is not proposing any exterior alterations or changes to the parking layout. At this time, they are seeking approval for the use only, but have agreed to clarify any issues related to alterations after Council's review, as conditions of a development permit approval.

The proposed liquor store complies with all relevant provisions of the Zoning and Development and the Parking By-laws.

NOTIFICATION

As part of the review of this development application, 142 neighbouring property owners were notified of the proposal. The Director of Planning received one letter in opposition from within the notification area. The concerns expressed include loitering, an unsafe environment for the residents, and disturbance to the neighbourhood. The notification area is included in the attached Appendix 'A' map.

POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMENTS

The Vancouver Police Department has reviewed this development application and has expressed concerns regarding the treatment to the underground parking and landscaping concept. Given that the LDB is seeking approval for the use only, the Department does not oppose this proposal at this time. The Department does however recommend that the treatment to the underground parking and landscaping concept must be addressed prior to the issuance of the development permit.

CONCLUSION

The proposed development meets the technical requirements of the Zoning and Development and the Parking By-laws. In response to the neighbourhood notification, only one letter in opposition was received. Planning staff do not believe a liquor store at this particular location will have an adverse effect on the neighbourhood. Further, the Police Department does not oppose this proposal. The Director of Planning is, therefore, prepared to issue the permit, subject to conditions that address the treatment of the underground parking and the overall landscaping and exterior design concept. However, before making a decision, the Director of Planning is first seeking any advice which Council may wish to provide.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver