REPORT TO COUNCIL
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
March 14, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was
held on Thursday, March 14, 1995, at approximately 7:30 p.m. in
Committee Room No. 2, third floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kwan
ALSO PRESENT: Judy Rogers, Assistant City Manager
Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector
Nathan Edelson, Planner, Central Area Planning
CLERK: Gary MacIsaac
Power to Act
On January 11, 1994, Council by the required majority, granted the
Commission Power to Act on all unanimous decisions. The decisions of
the Commission contained herein are unanimous and, therefore, stand
approved.
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission meeting of
December 7, 1995, were adopted as circulated.
1. Update on Licensed Premises within the
Downtown Eastside to January 21, 1996 File: 2610-13
The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated
January 24, 1996, in which the Chief Constable provided an ongoing
overview of problems and issues concerning licensed premises, and the
status of any enforcement or other activities pertaining to licensed
premises within the Downtown Eastside from January, 1994 to January,
1996.
Clause No. 1 Continued
Inspector Gary Greer, Vancouver Police Department, noted the report
should be amended to reflect the following changes:
- The report states that the Dominion Hotel was suspended in
September, 1995 for serving minors. In fact the Hotel was
suspended for overcrowding;
- Vancouver City Council has reviewed the business license of
Club NRG (also known as Senorita Frogs), with the result that
Club NRG has recently signed operating agreements with the
City. The Club's Liquor License was due to expire the end of
February, but the Club was extended a three month temporary
license, pending the outcome of a Liquor Control and Licensing
Branch review of their license;
- In February, 1996 the Balmoral Hotel received a warning letter
regarding overcrowding.
Ms Judy Rogers, Assistant City Manager, advised she will be meeting
with staff from the Police Department to review this reporting format
and invited the input of Commission members.
Commission members advised the issue of "Repouring" had arisen in
an earlier Council meeting, and requested this definition be clarified
for the record. Inspector Greer explained that the Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch regulations prohibit the repouring of liquor from the
original container into another container. The intent of this
regulation is to prevent a business from selling a cheaper brand of
liquor in the bottle of a more expensive product.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Administrative Report dated January 24, 1996, updating the
Commission on the licensed premises in the Downtown Eastside to
January 21, 1996, be received for information.
2. 569-581 Hornby Street (New Hotel)
Class 'A' Lounge File: 2611-33
In an Administrative Report dated February 19, 1996, the Deputy
Chief License Inspector advised Spectra Pacific Development Corporation
is requesting a Council resolution endorsing its application for a 100-
seat, Class 'A' Lounge in the 126 suite hotel to be constructed at 569-
581 Hornby Street.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised Council
policy is to consider waiving the requirement for a referendum for new
Class 'A' Lounge liquor licenses within an existing full-service hotel
located in the downtown core, provided it is illustrated there is little
or no community opposition as determined by the response to the pre-
clearance notification process. In this instance, staff recommend
approval of the application.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore, it was
RESOLVED
THAT Council endorse the request from Spectra Pacific Development
Corporation for a Class 'A' Lounge liquor license in the proposed
new hotel at 569 - 581 Hornby Street.
3. 950 Granville Street - Class 'C' Cabaret File: 2613-14
In an Administrative Report dated February 19, 1996, the Deputy
Chief License Inspector reported on an application by Mr. Charles
Wertman which requested a Council resolution endorsing his proposal for
a Class 'C' Cabaret at 950 Granville Street.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised staff
recommends this application not be endorsed, due to the present
moratorium in effect, which states that on an interim basis, no new
liquor licenses will be permitted in Downtown South. Since the
moratorium has been in effect, staff have been approached by 15-20
applicants wishing to make applications in Downtown South, and have
discouraged them from doing so until the report back on future policy
for this area is completed. Mr. Teichroeb further advised the staff
recommendation is not based upon the merits of the application, but
rather the issue of compliance with the moratorium.
Clause No. 3 Continued
Mr. Nathan Edelson, Planner, responded to queries from Commission
members concerning the status of the policy report for Downtown South,
and advised it will be scheduled for the Standing Committee on Planning
and Environment in the first week of May. Based on this schedule, it
would be June before the Commission can consider any liquor applications
for Downtown South. Mr. Edelson also highlighted some of the policy
issues which will be contained in the report.
Mr. Charles Wertman, applicant, requested that the Commission
endorse this application. Mr. Wertman advised that housing has been
deleted as a permitted use on this block, so the liquor moratorium on
new licenses should not apply in this case. Also, this application will
help revitalize the area, and has the support of 71% of the property
owners in the 800-900 blocks of Granville Street.
Mr. Wertman also advised that the City's proposal to encourage the
relocation of cabarets from residential areas to Granville Street is
impractical, and will not happen, as the site requirements for such a
use, as set out by the Planning Department, result in a lack of sites
available for relocation. Also, it is unfair for the City to provide a
density bonus in order to encourage these cabarets to relocate.
Mr. Wertman concluded that Granville Street properties have
steadily declined in value compared to other downtown areas, such as
Robson Street. This is a good use of the existing property which should
help improve the area.
Mr. Stuart Howard, Architect, advised he was appearing before the
Commission on behalf the applicant. Mr. Howard stated this project will
enhance the area, and staff opposition appears to be based on what they
would like to see, rather than what is going to happen. The Planning
Department's desire to move other Cabarets to Granville Street is
wishful thinking, but will not happen. This is the best option for
revitalizing the area.
Mr. Blaine Culling requested this application not be endorsed while
the moratorium is in place. Mr. Culling advised that he also wished to
make a liquor application while the moratorium was in place, but had
been discouraged from doing so by staff. If the Commission were to
endorse this application, it would set a bad precedent.Clause No. 3
Continued
Mr. Dennis Coates asked that the Commission respect the moratorium
which is in place, and not endorse this application. In the past he has
been discouraged from submitting liquor applications in this area on
behalf of clients.
Mr. Chris Scott urged the Commission to endorse this application as
it will be a benefit to Vancouverites and tourists.
Mr. Adrian Turk, (brief on file), urged the Commission to not
endorse this application on the basis that the moratorium is in place.
Mr. Turk also advised he is tenant in the property the applicant wishes
to demolish, and has made a substantial investment in the property. The
revitalization of Granville Street does not require the destruction of
buildings, rather the improvement of current structures.
After discussion, the following motion by Councillor Hemer was put
and CARRIED. Therefore, the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the Liquor
Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the application by
Charles Wertman for a Class 'C' Cabaret at 950 Granville Street.
4. 870 Granville Street (Commodore Cabaret)
Class 'C' Cabaret and Class 'B' Restaurant File: 2613-16
In an Administrative Report dated February 29, 1996, the Deputy
Chief License Inspector advised of a request from Pensionfund Properties
Ltd., for a Council resolution endorsing a Class 'C' Cabaret and Class
'B' Restaurant liquor license at 870 Granville Street. The report
recommended that Council endorse this request, as this support for the
continuation of a Cabaret at 870 Granville Street may help to preserve
this important entertainment use on Granville Street.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised the
applicant is the owner of this property. The Commodore Cabaret Ltd.,
who owns and controls the liquor license, is attempting to sell the
business. The applicant has made application for their own liquor
license on this site, and endorsement from Council is required by the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.Clause No. 4 Continued
Mr. Dennis Coates, on behalf of the applicant, advised they are
still hopeful the existing tenant will remain on the site. However, in
the event that the operator does leave the site, the applicant is
applying for a liquor license so the property will not remain vacant.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore, it was
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the Liquor
Control and Licensing Branch that it supports the continuation of
the existing Class 'C' Cabaret and Class 'B' Restaurant operation
at 870 Granville Street with the existing or replacement liquor
licenses.
5. 1021 West Hastings Street
Terminal City Club Inc. File: 2615-7
In an Administrative Report dated March 4, 1996, the Deputy Chief
License Inspector advised the Terminal City Club Inc., is requesting a
resolution endorsing its application for a temporary relocation of their
Class 'E' liquor license to 1021 West Hastings Street. Staff recommend
the Commission endorse this request as there are no concerns related to
residential impacts in this Commercial Downtown District.
* * * * *
NOTE FROM CLERK: Subsequent to this report being considered by the
Commission, the Deputy Chief License Inspector advised the license
referred to in the Administrative Report was a Class 'A' liquor license,
and not a Class 'E' liquor license. The Commission resolution has been
amended to reflect this change.
* * * * *
The following motion by Councillor Ip was put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request
by the Terminal City Club Inc., for a temporary (two year)
relocation of the Class 'A' Concert Hall liquor license to 1021
West Hastings Street.6. Information on Barwatch Program
in Downtown Cabarets File: 2701-5
In a verbal report to the Commission, Staff Sergeant Doug MacKay-
Dunn, Mr. Vance Campbell, Chair of Barwatch, and Mr. Roger Gibson, B.C.
Cabaret Owners Association, provided a synopsis of the Barwatch program.
The organization's mandate is to promote the safety and security of
patrons in downtown licensed establishments. It operates on the same
basis as Neighbourhood Watch, as the downtown entertainment community
assists each other and the Police in preventing potential problems
within member establishments. All members of the organization use video
surveillance equipment at the entrances of licensed premises and there
is a common alert paging system which enables all of the member
licensees to be informed of potential problem situations headed in their
direction.
Barwatch signs are posted at entrances advising patrons that the
premises participates in the program which is sponsored by the Vancouver
Police Department. In most cases patrons are alerted they are being
video taped upon entering by the presence of a video monitor at the
entrance of the establishment.
Not everyone is automatically allowed to join Barwatch. Some
licensed premises have been denied membership on the basis of their
current practices.
Barwatch has also become a venue for members to discuss mutual
concerns. In the future they will be approaching the Commission
regarding a proposal to extend the period allowed to have patrons exit
licensed premises.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore it was
RESOLVED
THAT the verbal report on the Barwatch Program in Downtown Cabarets
be received for information.
7. Molson Indy Site -
Class 'E' Liquor License File: 2615-8
The following correspondence was before the Commission:
- Letter dated March 4, 1996 from the Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch to W.A.E. Hick and Associates;Clause No. 7
Continued
- Letter dated February 20, 1996 from the Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch to Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License
Inspector;
- Letter dated February 9, 1996 from W.A.E. Hick and Associates
to Liquor Control and Licensing Branch;
- Letter dated January 25, 1996 from Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch to W.A.E. Hick and Associates;
- Letter dated December 27, 1995 from W.A.E. Hick and Associates
to Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector.
Mr. Bert Hick (brief on file) and Mr. Dennis Coates appeared on
behalf of the applicant, Molson Indy. For the past six Molson Indy
weekends the liquor licensing for the event has been achieved by the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch granting temporary extensions of
the Class 'E' stadium license issued to B.C. Pavilion Corporation for
the B.C. Place Stadium. Basically, the Branch extends the B.C. Place
Stadium license to cover the Indy site, and then allows another party,
Grand Prix Management Inc., to use their liquor license for the sale of
liquor in the pit suites, chalets, and beer gardens. As well, Special
Occasion Licenses have been issued.
The management of the Vancouver Indy now want their own liquor
license. Messrs. Hick and Coates advised there are some issues which
need to be addressed at the Provincial level, but before proceeding
further, a resolution from Council is requested which endorses approving
in principle, the application for a Class 'E' outdoor stadium license
for the Vancouver Indy. In order for the applicant to have enough time
to address the outstanding issues prior to the next Molson Indy, this
Council resolution is required in the very near future.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb advised that due to the unusual nature of this
application, staff have not prepared a report for the Commission on this
matter.
In the ensuing discussion Commission members stated they would like
to see a report from staff before formally considering an endorsement of
this application.Clause No. 7 Continued
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore it was
RESOLVED
THAT formal consideration of this matter be deferred until the
March 28, 1996 Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
meeting, at which time a staff report will be available.
* * * * *
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:50 p.m.
* * * * *