Vancouver City Council |
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 7, 2003
Author/Local: Karen Hoese/ 604.871.6403
RTS No. 03519
CC File No. 2614-1
Meeting Date: July 31, 2003
TO:
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM:
Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT:
Change in Hours for Liquor Primary License: 595 Hornby Street (5th floor), 596573 BC Ltd, DBA Brandi's Show Lounge
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council, having considered the opinion of area residents and business operators of the community and existing Council liquor policy, endorse the application by 596573 BC Ltd (Brandi's Show Lounge) for a change in hours of operation from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am Monday through Saturday and 7:00 pm to midnight on Sunday, to 12 noon to 2:00 am Monday through Saturday and 12 noon to midnight on Sunday, for the Liquor Primary license (cabaret) at 595 Hornby Street, subject to the following conditions:
i. adherence to clean air principles; and
ii. a signed Good Neighbour Agreement prior to issuing the business license.GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the above recommendation.
COUNCIL POLICY
On January 26, 1999 Council passed a resolution supporting the idea of earlier opening times for Cabarets.
PURPOSE
596573 BC Ltd, operating as Brandi's Show Lounge, is requesting a Council resolution endorsing their application to amend their liquor license to allow a change of hours of operation for the Liquor Primary license at 595 Hornby Street, 5th floor. The current hours are from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am Monday through Saturday and 7:00 pm to 12:00 midnight on Sunday. The applicant is requesting that the hours of operation be changed to 12:00 noon to 2:00 am Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight on Sunday.
This report outlines some of the considerations related to the requested change in the hours of operation for this establishment and recommends that Council endorse the request.
BACKGROUND
The applicant has been operating Brandi's Show Lounge, located on Hornby Street at Dunsmuir Street, since 1999. The surrounding area is a mixture of office, retail and restaurant uses (Appendix A). The establishment has 199 licensed seats; within a 1000 foot radius of the subject site, there are an additional 2131 Liquor Primary seats distributed among three club lounges and ten hotel lounges and 25 liquor licensed Restaurants.
The applicant advises that the requested change for earlier opening hours is to allow for afternoon food service and to provide an after work venue.
DISCUSSION
Proposal Benefits
Earlier opening hours for cabarets are generally supported to encourage additional activity on the street during the day. In this case the business is located on the fifth floor which means the objective is not relevant.Proposal Concerns
There are no concerns with regard to this application.Enforcement
There are no enforcement issues with regard to this establishment.New Provincial Liquor Licensing Regulations
Provincial changes to liquor licensing regulations have eliminated many of the liquor licensing use categories, as well as the seating capacities and hours associated with them. For instance, under the new provincial regulations, an establishment such as Brandi's Show Lounge would be permitted to serve liquor from 9 am until 4 am throughout the week. City staff have started reviewing the implications of the Provincial changes and will be providing City Council with policy recommendations. In the interim, amendments to, and new Liquor Primary licenses are being assessed based on current City policy and previous Provincial regulations and policy.RESULTS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION
As there are no adjacent residential uses, no neighbourhood notification was conducted. A site sign was erected and displayed for approximately three months advising the community of the application. No responses were received from the public.
COMMENTS
The Police Department, the Development Services Department, and the Housing Centre had no objections to the earlier opening hours.
The Environmental Health Division noted that there have been significant issues with non-compliance to smoking restrictions.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommend that the application for the change in hours of operation be endorsed as requested by the applicant. Daytime operating hours for cabarets should not create any enforcement issue and will provide for a greater variety of entertainment options.
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APPENDIX A