ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: August 24, 2001
Author/Local: Guy Gusdal/604-871-6461
RTS No. 2199
CC File No. 2618-1
P&E: September 13, 2001
TO: |
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment |
FROM: |
Chief License Inspector |
SUBJECT: |
3536 West 41st Avenue - 558570 BC Ltd.
|
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council, having considered the opinion of area residents and business operators of the community as determined by neighbourhood notification, availability of parking and overall design, endorse the application by 558570 BC Ltd., for a 940 square foot Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wine store at 3536 West 41st Avenue, subject to:
i. A Time-Limited Development Permit
ii. Hours of operation limited to between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
iii. Product sales limited to BC wines only.
iv. No on-site consumption, with the exception of samples provided in a manner consistent with Liquor Distribution Branch policies.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
On September 10, 1991, Council approved a policy for a specialty Wine Boutique Program and that the processing of applications would be subject to a Development Permit for a limited period of one year, subject to review.
PURPOSE
558470 BC Ltd., is requesting a Council resolution endorsing their request for a Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) wine shop at 3536 West 41st Avenue.
BACKGROUND
This application is for a VQA wine store, which is a program set up by the British Columbia Wine Institute, with the endorsement of the Liquor Distribution Branch, to help promote the sale of high quality BC wines.
The Liquor Distribution Branch has allocated limited wine store licenses to the BC Wine Institute who, in turn, screens prospective licensees and locations. Written confirmation dated May 31, 2001 has been received from the BC Wine Institute advising that the application on behalf 558470 BC Ltd., had been approved, and the Liquor Distribution Branch has confirmed that "preliminary approval" has been granted.
Staff has processed this application in a manner consistent with other types of liquor license applications. The VQA wine store proposed for 601 West Cordova Street was processed in a similar manner in April, 2000.
The proposed hours of operation are Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday and holidays 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. The working title for the store is Kerrisdale-Southlands VQA Wines.
The applicants have successfully run a similar VQA wine shop in Edgemont Village in North Vancouver since November 1998.
Regulations and Policies
Under the Zoning and Development Bylaw, a wine store is considered a Liquor Store which means the use of premises for the sale of liquor, beer or wine for consumption off premises. In July 1992, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch announced it would no longer accept applications for new Class `G' Licensee (beer and wine) Retail Stores. The VQA wine store program was implemented and is an exception to this moratorium policy.
Area Surrounding Subject Premises
The proposed premises are located in a C-2 Commercial District. The proposed wine shop would be 940 square feet on the ground floor at 3536 West 41st Avenue, which faces a newly refurbished IGA Marketplace across the street. The neighbourhood consists of single family dwellings.
There is no provincial liquor store or private beer and wine store in the immediate vicinity.
DISCUSSION
Staff feels that given the size of the store, limited product selection, the hours of operation, and the requirement of a time-limited Development Permit, the store would cause little or no impact on the surrounding community.
RESULTS OF NOTIFICATION
A neighbourhood notification was conducted by circulating 192 notices (refer to the appendix). Three responses were received in favour and none opposed.
COMMENTS
The Police Department has no objections.
The Development Services Department has reviewed the application and notes the site is located within the C-2 Commercial Zoning District. The approved use of the tenancy is a retail store.
This proposed wine store would be classified as a liquor store under the provisions of the Zoning and Development Bylaw. A liquor store is a "conditional" use in the C-2 District Schedule and any proposal to change the use to a liquor store would require a development permit application. The review process for such an application would include an assessment of the impact on neighbouring residential uses, the traffic and noise impacts and applicable provisions of the Parking Bylaw.
The Vancouver/Richmond Health Board has no objections to this application.
The Social Planning Department and The Housing Centre have no concerns.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that this application be endorsed based on the probability that this wine store will have limited, if any, negative impact on the surrounding neighbourhood. The Time-Limited Development Permit will ensure that any land use incompatibility issue can be resolved at a later date.
ATTACHMENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE ELECTRONIC COPY ARE AVAILABLE ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
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