6
CITY OF VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
Minutes, July 25, 1996
A regular meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was
held on Thursday, July 25, 1996, at approximately 7:30 p.m. in Committee
Room No. 2, third floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
ABSENT: Councillor Kwan (Leave of Absence)
ALSO
PRESENT: Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector
Nathan Edelson, Planner, Central Area Planning
CLERK: Rae Wylson
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
April 18, 1996, were adopted as circulated.
1. 555 Seymour Street File: 2611-35
B.C. Institute of Technology - A Lounge
In an Administrative Report dated July 9, 1996, the Deputy Chief
License Inspector advised the British Columbia Institute of Technology
(BCIT) is requesting endorsement of its application for a 225-seat Class
A Lounge in the new Downtown campus at 555 Seymour Street.
cont'd....
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, reviewed the
Administrative Report noting a number of licensed premises already exist
in the area. Staff are in general support of this application. The
primary function of the application is to provide refreshments for
campus related activities. It was noted the liquor license will be held
by BCIT management.
Mr. Patrick O Loughlin, Jolly Taxpayer Hotel, expressed opposition
to the application. Mr. O Loughlin argued sufficient licenses to
service the demand currently exist within the area.
In response to questions from the Commission, staff provided the
following points of clarification:
- the management of BCIT will hold the liquor license which they are
then able to lease out;
- permanent seating will not be installed; and
- the licensed area will be indicated by a red line during functions.
In the ensuing discussion, the Commission acknowledged Mr.
O Loughlin s points, but noted competition in the area is the key issue.
It was suggested the seating capacity be limited to 200 as a condition
for approval of the application.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried.
Therefore, the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request
by the British Columbia Institute of Technology for a Class A
Lounge at 555 Seymour Street, and having considered community
opinion determined as a result of neighbourhood notification that
endorsement be limited to a 200-seat maximum.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. 620 West Pender Street - File: 2611-36
477633 B.C. Ltd. (Piccadilly Hotel)
Change in Class A Pub Hours
In an Administrative Report dated June 26, 1996, the Deputy Chief
License Inspector advised 477633 B.C. Ltd. is requesting a resolution
endorsing its application for a change of hours in the Class A Pub
(125 seats) at the Piccadilly Hotel, 620 West Pender Street.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised the
hotel has 45 rooms and is one of the oldest hotels in the area. Staff
concerns relate to the potential impact a change in hours would have on
this evolving area of the City. Mr. Teichroeb advised four other
applications for an extension in hours have been received in the area.
The Chair commented on two separate Premise Checks attached to the
Administrative Report, both noting over-capacity at this location.
Reference was also made to an anonymous letter commenting on the Hotel s
practice of exceeding hours on weekends.
Mr. Rick Erdman, representing the applicant, addressed the Chair s
concerns. Mr. Erdman advised these instances of exceeding the hours and
capacity were not typical of the Piccadilly s operation. Mr. Erdman
circulated and summarized a brief (on file). It was noted the extension
in hours is being sought in order that his client may compete with other
venues offering similar types of entertainment, which have later hours
of operation.
Mr. Erdman noted the tenants of the Piccadilly Hotel support this
application as is indicated by their signatures on a supporting petition
contained within the brief.
The Piccadilly Hotel staff member quoted in a newspaper article
submitted by an anonymous source stated that the 150-175 patrons per
evening quoted was a running total for the whole evening and not of the
patrons at any specific time.
Sergeant Tim Laidler, Vancouver Police, advised the Piccadilly
Hotel is not a problem location at present. It was noted the Hotel s
no-problem status may change with the increase in residences in the area
should more people submit complaints or raise concerns.
cont'd....
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
Nathan Edelson, Planner, Central Area Planning, advised the
Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy recommends an extensive review of
licensing in the area. He noted staff feel this neighbourhood s needs
are changing and added staff recommend the area s current pub hours be
rolled-back.
The Chair advised the Commission has requested authority from the
Province to roll-back hours. Further, the Chair noted until Provincial
authority to roll-back hours is granted the Commission will be reluctant
to approve applications for extended hours.
After further discussion, given staff concerns regarding the
changing nature of the neighbourhood coupled with the Commission s lack
of authority to roll-back hours, 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
477633 B.C. Ltd., doing business as the Piccadilly Hotel, for a
change of hours in the Class A Pub at 620 West Pender Street,
having considered community opinion, as determined by neighbourhood
notification.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. 602 Dunsmuir Street - Okim Holdings Ltd. File: 26111-31
(St. Regis Hotel) - Reallocation of Seats
and Change in Hours in Class 'A' Pub
As a unanimous vote on this matter was not achieved, it was
therefore submitted to Council for consideration.
4. 518 Richards Street - Marble Arch Hotel File: 2611-31
Change in Hours in Class A Pub
In an Administrative Report dated May 24, 1996, the Deputy Chief
License Inspector advised 351051 B.C. Ltd. is requesting a City Council
resolution endorsing its application for a change of hours in the Class
A Pub (234 seats) at the Marble Arch Hotel, 518 Richards Street.
cont'd....
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
Mr. Paul Teichroeb summarized the issues contained in the
Administrative Report, noting staff do not support this application for
a one-half hour extension in hours. Staff concerns centre around the
future impacts on the projected residential area of the Victory Square
neighbourhood.
Sergeant Tim Laidler advised the Vancouver Police are not in
support of this application. There are presently a high number of calls
to this area, and an increase in hours could potentially increase the
number of calls. In addition, later hours would impact Police
availability to monitor venues in other areas of the City.
Mr. Rick Erdman, representing the applicant, presented a brief (on
file) outlining his client s proposal. He stressed that Police calls
are to the general area of the City and not the Marble Arch Hotel
specifically. The applicant has the support of the residents and
surrounding businesses as indicated by the correspondence enclosed with
the brief.
Mr. Anthony Richie, Marble Arch Hotel partner, informed the
Commission the Hotel s staff patrol the parking lots and the surrounding
block. The Hotel staff and management have assisted Police on more than
one occasion by reporting stolen credit cards and by apprehending and
retaining people for the Police.
Mr. Steve Ng, Marble Arch Hotel partner, advised the owners are in
the process of investing $650,000 to upgrade the Hotel. The owners have
appeared before the Heritage Committee and are seeking heritage
designation.
Mr. Ramric, Mrs. Remont, Mrs. Bouchiere, Mr. Adebie, residents of
the Hotel, were present to address the Commission and express their
support of this application.
Mr. Nathan Edelson, Planner, Central Area Planning, advised that
because the Commission has no power to roll-back and enforce hours staff
have concerns about extending hours in this area of the City.
Following a short discussion, the following motion by Councillor Ip
was put and carried. Therefore, the Commission
cont'd....
Clause No. 4 (cont'd)
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the Liquor
Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the application by
351051 B.C. Ltd. for a change of hours in the Class A Pub at the
Marble Arch Hotel, 518 Richards Street, having considered community
opinion, as determined by neighbourhood notification.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. 390 West Hastings Street - File: 2612-11
Cybernet Enterprises Inc.
Class B-2' Restaurant
In an Administrative Report dated July 9, 1996, the Deputy Chief
License Inspector advised Cybernet Enterprises Inc. is requesting a City
Council resolution endorsing its application for a 150-seat Class B-2'
Restaurant (which includes a proposed 17- seat patio on City property),
to allow for an InterNet Cafe at the proposed new location of the
Vancouver Film School s Multimedia and Computer Animation Campus, 390
West Hastings Street.
Following consideration of the Administrative Report, the following
motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried. Therefore, the
Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request
by Cybernet Enterprises Inc., for a class B-2' restaurant, with a
12 midnight closing time, at 390 West Hastings Street, having
considered community opinion determined as a result of
neighbourhood notification.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Class D Neighbourhood Pub - File: 2614-8
871 Beatty Street
472120 B.C. Ltd. - Referendum Results
In an Administrative Report dated July 9, 1996, the City Clerk
advised of the results of a referendum conducted for the application by
472120 B.C. Ltd. for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub for the premises
located at 871 Beatty Street and recommended, as a result of the
findings of this referendum, the application be approved.
Following consideration of the Administrative Report, the following
motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried. Therefore, the
Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the General
Manager, Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, it supports the
application by 472120 B.C. Ltd. for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub
(Public House) liquor license for the premises located at 871
Beatty Street, having considered:
a) the support of the residents and business operators of the
community, as expressed through the results of a neighbourhood
referendum;
b) the proximity of the establishment to other social facilities
and public buildings;
c) traffic, road access and availability of parking, and
d) noise and appearance of the proposed establishment;
AND FURTHER THAT the endorsement of this application be subject to
the conditions this development NOT include an outdoor patio nor
off-premise liquor sales, and the existing Class C Cabaret
license for this site be cancelled.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7. 932 Granville Street - File: 2613-10
The Roxy Cabaret Ltd. and
Siesta Hotel Housing Agreement
In an Administrative Report dated July 9, 1996, presented for the
Commission s information, the Manager of the Housing Centre, in
consultation with the Director of Legal Services, advised Council
approval will be sought for a housing agreement for 932 Granville Street
covering 64 of 75 single rooms above the street level cabaret operation.
As well, the Commission was provided with a memo dated July 19, 1996
from the City Manager with further comments.
Following consideration of the Information Report, the following
motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried. Therefore, the
Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Administrative Report dated July 16, 1996, and the
supporting memo from the City Manager dated July 19, 1996,
concerning 932 Granville Street - The Roxy Cabaret Ltd. and Siesta
Hotel Housing Agreement, be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * *
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.