PART REPORT TO COUNCIL
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
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)
CITY MANAGER S OFFICE: Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
CLERK: Rae Wylson
RECOMMENDATION
1. 602 Dunsmuir Street - Okim Holdings Ltd. (St. Regis Hotel)
Reallocation of Seats and Change in Hours in Class A Pub
File No: 2611-31
In an Administrative report dated July 2, 1996, the Chief License
Inspector advised Okim Holdings Ltd. is requesting endorsement of its
application for a reallocation of 52 seats from the Class A Pub to the
Class A Lounge, and for a change of hours in the Class A Pub at the
St. Regis Hotel, 602 Dunsmuir Street.
Mr. Paul Teichroeb, Deputy Chief License Inspector, advised in
September 1995 the Commission approved an application for a 300 seat
cabaret next door to the location currently under consideration. The
City has since been notified development of the cabaret will not be
proceeding. Mr. Teichroeb reviewed the application noting the request
is for a reallocation of seating between the existing Class A Pub and
Class A Lounge. Mr. Teichroeb recommended approval of the application
be subject to a redevelopment permit being issued on the full site.
Notification had been carried out by the City Clerk. Approximately
3,150 notices were delivered by Canada Post Admail, an additional 400
notices were hand-delivered by staff. One written response was received
in opposition.
Mr. Rick Erdman, representing the applicant, circulated a brief (on
file) outlining the site plan. The plan includes the owner s recently
purchased adjoining property on Seymour Street which extends to, and
includes the Old Bay Hotel. Mr. Erdman advised the proposal would
include the following:
- relocation of the Class A Pub and the restaurant to the newly
acquired retail space;
- two separate Class A Lounge areas on the main and basement levels
in the St. Regis Hotel; and
- creation of a banquet room and microbrewery.
Mr. Erdman further advised that with the acquisition of the
additional property, and the proposed redevelopment, the St. Regis Hotel
will become a conforming hotel within the guidelines of the Provincial
Liquor Control and Licensing Regulations.
Mr. Chris Woodburn, applicant, in response to questions from the
Commission, provided further detail with regard to the following:
- the Class A Lounge will have an upscale sports theme; a
microbrewery within a hotel is a new concept in Vancouver;
- there is only one microbrewery within a hotel in the Province,
located in Victoria;
- the purpose of the microbrewery is to supply the hotel, and is not
for off-site sales; and
- the request for the change in hours is so both venues have the same
hours of operation in order to limit travel between them.
In ensuing discussion, members of the Commission expressed concern
over the question of fairness in approving this application. Other
applications in the immediate area were denied an extension in hours due
to the Commission s lack of authority to roll-back on hours it
previously granted.
The following additional points were raised:
- although this application is for a two hour extension of current
hours it is a one hour reduction of the previously approved hours
for the operation of a cabaret at this site;
- a lounge has fewer implications for the surrounding neighbourhood
than would have the originally proposed cabaret; and
- should the application be refused, the cost of reapplication for an
extension in hours is approximately $1,500.
The Commission also expressed concern with regard to conflicting
Police comments contained in the administrative reports. It was noted
Police supported the application for an extension in hours in Item No. 2
but do not support this application, although the two venues are in
close proximity and would close at the same time.
Sergeant Tim Laidler, Vancouver Police Department, clarified Police
comments in Item No. 2 are site specific while comments regarding this
application are relative to the overall area of the City, rather than
the St. Regis Hotel specifically.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Commission
RESOLVED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request
by Okim Holdings Ltd., for a reallocation of 52 seats from the
Class A Pub to the Class A Lounge and for a change of hours, as
follows, in the Class A Pub at the St. Regis Hotel, 602 Dunsmuir
Street, having considered the support of residents and business
operators of the community as determined by neighbourhood
notification:
To: Monday to Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 12 Midnight.
FURTHER THAT approval be subject to a development permit being
issued on the full site.
(Councillor Kennedy opposed)
NOTE FROM THE CLERK: As the above decision of the Commission was not
unanimous, this matter was referred to the July 30, 1996 Regular Council
meeting.