SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 5
                                                VLLC AGENDA
                                                SEPTEMBER 26, 1996 


                             ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                           Date: September 18, 1996
                                           Dept. File No.2197IC.COV


   TO:       Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission


   FROM:     Deputy Chief License Inspector

   SUBJECT:  800 Robson Street - Robson Square Conference Centre
             Class 'E' Convention Centre


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request
        from the B.C. Pavilion Corporation for a Class 'E' Convention
        Centre liquor license at the Robson Square Conference Centre, 800
        Robson Street, including:

         i.  650 seats located in the two theatres; and

        ii.  an increase in patio seating to 1,487 seats in the outdoor
             plaza, subject to a 10:00 p.m. closing. 


   GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS


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


   COUNCIL POLICY

   City Council policy is to not require a referendum for a major complex
   provided it is illustrated that there is little or no community
   opposition as determined by the neighbourhood notification or if there
   is no residential within close proximity.


   PURPOSE

   B.C. Pavilion Corporation is requesting a City Council resolution
   endorsing its request for a Class 'E' Convention Centre liquor license
   at the Robson Square Conference Centre, 800 Robson Street.

   BACKGROUND


   On March 6, 1990, Council endorsed an application from the B.C. Pavilion
   Corporation for a Class 'A' liquor license at 800 Robson Street.  At
   present, Robson Square Conference Centre, with a patron capacity of
   4,565, is licensed with a Class 'B' Dining Lounge and seven Class 'A'
   (Provincially-owned cultural centre) liquor licenses.

   In July 1995, the Liquor Control and Licensing Act was amended to permit
   the appropriate licensing of large conference and convention centres
   under a Class 'E' license.  The regulations permit sales between 9:00
   a.m. to 2:00 a.m.  However, liquor service would be restricted to sales
   at specific events held at the conference centre.

   The subject premises are located in a CD-1 zoning district, and the
   surrounding area is a mixture of retail, offices and hotels.  Within a
   one block radius of this site are the Vancouver Art Gallery, Pacific
   Centre Mall, Four Seasons Hotel, Hotel Vancouver and Hotel Georgia.

   DISCUSSION


   This application for one Class 'E' Convention and Conference Centre
   liquor license is essentially a conversion of the existing licensed area
   to the new Class 'E' license.  In addition, the application proposes the
   licensing of the two theatres (total of 650 seats) and expansion of the
   licensed outdoor plaza area from 400 seats to 1,487 seats, which will
   also be an outdoor smoking area.  It is proposed that in the summer the
   skating rink area will be used for receptions or dinners which may be
   operated in conjunction with inside activities.  The theatres are
   sometimes used for presentation and stand-up functions, and it is
   proposed that the license be extended to these areas to allow patrons to
   return with drinks after a break. 

   This application is supported by the Police, Social Planning and
   Planning Departments, subject to the 10:00 p.m. closing for the plaza
   area.

   An area notification was not carried out due to the existence of the
   current licenses and also because there is no residential in close
   proximity.


   CONCLUSION

   As there is no residential within close proximity to this site, a
   referendum is not required.  The change of liquor license class from a
   combined 'A' Lounge and 'B' Restaurant to a Class 'E' Convention Centre
   will not result in significant changes to the current operation of the
   facility.  The licensing of the theatres and the increase in patio
   seating do represent a change, which should not have an overall negative
   effect on the neighbourhood.

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