SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
                                                VLLC AGENDA
                                                OCTOBER 24, 1996   


                             ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                      Date: October 7, 1996
                                      Dept. File No.2203IC.COV      


   TO:       Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission


   FROM:     Deputy Chief License Inspector

   SUBJECT:  789 Homer (New Hotel) - 455322 B.C. Ltd.
             Class 'A' Lounge Liquor License


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT Council endorse the request from 455322 B.C. Ltd., for a Class
        'A' Lounge liquor license, with 225 seats in area 1, 104 seats in
        area 2, 60 seats in area 3 and a maximum 50 seat patio (subject to
        Director of Planning review), in a new hotel complex at 789 Homer
        Street, subject to the outdoor patio closing at 11:00 p.m.


   GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

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



   COUNCIL POLICY

   City 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 that it is
   illustrated there is little or no community opposition as determined by
   the response to the neighbourhood notification process.


   PURPOSE

   455322 B.C. Ltd., is requesting a City Council resolution endorsing its
   application for a Class 'A' Lounge in three separate areas with a patron
   capacity of 225, 104 and 60 respectively, plus an outdoor patio
   consisting of 50 seats, in the hotel to be constructed at 789 Homer
   Street.

   BACKGROUND


   The subject premises are located in the D.D. Zoning District and the
   surrounding area is a mixture of retail, offices and some residential
   uses (Appendix A).  The Ford Centre is located directly next door and
   Library Square is immediately across the street.  Within a one block
   radius of this site are the Plaza Hotel, Passlin Hotel, Recovery Club
   and Kingston Hotel.  A development permit has also been issued to
   construct a residential tower on the southeast corner of Robson and
   Hamilton Streets.  There are seven residential developments, five
   hotels, two lodging houses, a Catholic Hostel, Salvation Army Central
   Residence, Holy Rosary Cathedral, a religious centre and the Orpheum
   Theatre within the survey area.

   There are six Class 'A' Pubs (1,068 seats) eight Class 'A' Lounges
   (2,065 seats), five Class 'C' Cabarets (1,576 seats), one Class 'E'
   Concert Hall, one Class 'E' Stadium and 37 licensed restaurants within
   the 1,000 feet radius.

   DISCUSSION

   Liquor licenses for new hotels are normally processed as part of the

   development permit application.  The applicant wishes a 439 seat (which
   includes a 50 seat patio) Class 'A' Lounge with hours of operation from
   11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

   The proposed main floor lounge (225 seats) will open directly on to a 50
   seat patio facing Homer Street.  The patio is 20 feet wide and is
   located in the building setback, with permanent fencing along the
   street.

   The second floor lounge (104 seats) is adjacent to the hotel's check-in
   facilities.  The third floor will contain a bar area (60 seats) adjacent
   to the outdoor lap pool.  This lounge will only be used on certain
   occasions.

   Council policy is to consider waiving the referendum requirement for new
   Class 'A' liquor licenses in new hotels in the downtown core, subject to
   the notification process.  The intent of the policy is to include
   applications which would result in minimum neighbourhood impact.  

   COMMENTS


   The Police Department has no concerns over this application, provided
   the lounge access is from inside the hotel.

   The Environmental Health Division recommends the outside patio area has
   an 11:00 p.m. closing restriction.

   The Planning Department is currently reviewing a proposed change of use
   to this building (originally approved as residential) to provide a new
   hotel.  'Hotel' is a permitted use in this particular area of the
   Downtown District, and a lounge area in conjunction with the hotel is
   considered a customarily ancillary use.

   A review of the plans submitted along with the development application
   indicate a "lobby bar" on the second floor.  Further clarification of
   the location and extent of the intended "lounge" area may be required. 
   Details of the outdoor seating must be approved by the Director of
   Planning, taking into consideration the Library Precinct Public Realm
   Treatment for which a 20-foot setback is being provided.


   The Social Planning Department has no additional comment.

   The Housing Centre has no comment.

   CONCLUSION

   Lounges in full-service hotels are normally not an enforcement problem
   due to the nature of the facilities and the hotel component of the
   business.  It is recommended that a maximum 11:00 p.m. closing be
   established for the patio, in order to minimize the potential impacts on
   the neighbouring residential buildings.

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