SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 4
                                           VLLC AGENDA
                                           SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 




          Extract from the Minutes of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing
                     Commission Meeting of March 14, 1996




   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.

        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.

                             ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                           Date: February 29, 1996
                                           Dept. File No.2184IC.COV


   TO:       Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission

   FROM:     Deputy Chief License Inspector

   SUBJECT:  870 Granville Street (Commodore Cabaret)
             Class 'C' Cabaret and Class 'B' Restaurant


   RECOMMENDATION

        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.

   GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

        The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS   approval of
   the foregoing.

   COUNCIL POLICY

   That the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission will consider any
   applications for licensed premises and any subject matter that is liquor
   license related. 

   PURPOSE

   Pensionfund Properties Ltd., is requesting a Council resolution
   endorsing a Class 'C' Cabaret and Class 'B' Restaurant liquor license at
   870 Granville Street.

   BACKGROUND

   The Commodore Cabaret at 870 Granville Street was constructed in 1930,
   and has continued operation until the present time.  This premise has
   been issued a rare dual liquor license for a Class 'C' Cabaret and a
   Class 'B' Restaurant.  Commodore Cabaret Ltd., the license holder, could
   operate from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. as a restaurant, and from 7:00 p.m.
   to 2:00 a.m. as a cabaret.  Both of these licenses expire on October 31,
   1996.

   The applicant, who is the owner of the property, states that the owner
   and operator of the cabaret has allowed the lease to expire.  This
   operator, Commodore Cabaret Ltd., who owns and controls the liquor
   licenses, has a 90 day lease extension and is attempting to sell the
   business.  The building owner is concerned that if a sale should not be
   realized, Pensionfund Properties would have no right to a transfer and
   would require a new license application, which could result in a period
   of shutdown.

   The Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) requires a Council
   resolution commenting on this application before it will consider a new
   liquor license application from the property owners.

   DISCUSSION

   The Commodore Ballroom is in a building listed as an 'A' in the
   Vancouver Heritage Register, and is considered an important part of the
   Granville Street entertainment area.  While the City cannot be involved
   in the business affairs between a landlord and tenant, general support
   for the use of the premise as a cabaret may assist in the continuation
   of this use.

   Planning Department staff note that the exterior and ground floor of the
   building have recently been restored.  These improvements, combined with
   the long history of the cabaret on Theatre Row, and the heritage
   character of the building, are consistent with Council's vision of this
   portion of Granville Street as an entertainment district, and with the
   efforts to revitalize the street in general.

   Comments from the LCLB indicate that the existing licenses could be
   transferred if the current licensee agreed.  Should the lease expire,
   the license would be cancelled and the building owner would then be
   eligible for its own license.  However, the Branch would not be
   obligated to issue a combined license, and in all likelihood, the
   applicant will have to choose between a 'B' or 'C' Class license.

   CONCLUSION

   Council support for the continuation of a cabaret at 870 Granville
   Street may help to preserve this important entertainment use on
   Granville Street.

                                     * * *