Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

FROM:

Chief License Inspector

SUBJECT:

375 Water Street - Off-Premise Sales in Class ‘D’ Brew Pub
The Quarterdeck Brewery Co. Ltd.

 

CONSIDERATION

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

Council policy is that no new liquor licenses or amendments to existing licenses to increase seating capacity or extend hours of sales (except Restaurant-Class 1) be permitted in the Downtown East Side or Gastown areas, except that new liquor licenses forming part of a new hotel or major complex be considered on a case-by-case basis.

On June 21, 1994, Council approved that, notwithstanding the current moratorium on further liquor outlets in Gastown, the application for a Class ‘D’ Brew Pub at Steamworks, 375 Water Street be endorsed subject to the condition that no off-premise sales be permitted.

PURPOSE

The Quarterdeck Brewery Co. Ltd., is requesting a Council resolution endorsing its application for off-premise sales in the Class ‘D’ Brew Pub at Steamworks, 375 Water Street.

BACKGROUND

In a letter to the applicant dated October 21, 1994, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch gave pre-clearance approval to proceed with an application for a brew pub and restaurant in conjunction with a neighbourhood pub, with the condition that off-premise sales of packaged liquor not be permitted.

On April 13, 1995, the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorsed the application for a Class ‘D’ Neighbourhood Pub at 375 Water Street, having considered the support of residents and business operators of the community as expressed through the results of a neighbourhood referendum.

On November 13, 1997, the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission considered an application from The Quarterdeck Brewery for off-premise sales. On November 18, 1997, Council did not endorse the request, having considered the opinion of the area residents and business operators as determined through the neighbourhood notification process. Concerns were also raised that this application was contrary to the current moratorium policy for Gastown, and the fact that the Gastown Land Use Plan was not yet in place.

Council recently endorsed a retail VQA wine store just west of Steamworks at 601 West Cordova Street which would cater to tourists in the downtown area. It now appears that the wine store will not proceed.

DISCUSSION

There was very little response to the original neighbourhood notification for the off-premise sales. Two letters opposing and one in support was received. In addition, the Gastown Historic Area Planning Advisory Committee (GHAPC) and the Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS) supported the application.

The Police Department did not support the original application as concerns were raised regarding problems related to off-premise sales and consumption in public places as well as the establishment of a precedent for other applications.

The applicant is anxious to have this issue considered again by Council. The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch has recently announced that no further off-premise endorsements will be granted. There are a few applications such as this one in the provincial system which will still be considered by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch. No further new applications will be considered.

RESULTS OF NOTIFICATION

A neighbourhood notification, which included 53 community organizations, was conducted in the notification area (refer to Appendix A). The response was one letter opposing and one in favour.

COMMENTS

The Police Department is very concerned that the liquor licensing moratorium for the Downtown Eastside and surrounding communities is continued because of the extraordinary policing issues in the area. However, it supports this application because there have been virtually no policing related incidents associated with Steamworks since it opened, and it is at the northwestern edge of the moratorium area. In addition, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch has indicated that no new applications for off-licenses will be received. Should the Province’s policy change in the future, Police support for this off-license application cannot be seen as a precedent for other facilities elsewhere in the area.

The Planning Department supports this application for the reasons noted by the Police Department. Steamworks has acted as a viable business and a good neighbour in an area facing many difficult social and economic problems. In addition, the Gastown Land Use Plan - which is expected to contain a section on a longer term Liquor Licensing Policy for Gastown’s pubs and cabarets - has been delayed due to the many complex and controversial issues facing the area. Should this application be approved, the Planning Department notes that the original Development Permit was issued with the condition that no off-premise liquor sales would be permitted. It will be necessary for the applicant to apply for a minor amendment to the Development Permit in order to have this condition of approval amended.

The Gastown Historic Area Planning Advisory Committee and Gastown Business Improvement Society support the application.

The Vancouver/Richmond Health Board has no comments.

The Social Planning Department and The Housing Centre have no comments.

CONCLUSION

Staff puts this application forward for consideration by Council. There is support from the Police and Planning Departments, with the proviso that this support not set a precedent with respect to the moratorium on new or expanded liquor licenses in the area. In addition, The Gastown Historic Area Planning Advisory Committee and the Gastown Business Improvement Society support the application as they believe Steamworks is a well-run business and a popular asset in the area.

NOTE FROM CLERK: Appendix A (map) is not available electronically. On file in the City Clerk's Office.

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