SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 3 VLLC AGENDA OCTOBER 24, 1996 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: October 7, 1996 Dept. File No.2201IC.COV TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission FROM: Deputy Chief License Inspector SUBJECT: 1150 Station Street - 484946 B.C. Ltd. Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub CONSIDERATION A. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission direct that consideration of the request by 484946 B.C. Ltd., for a Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub liquor license at 1150 Station Street, be subject to the results of a referendum conducted in accordance with existing City guidelines and also subject to no entertainment or off-premise sales; or B. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not support the request by 484946 B.C. Ltd., for a Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub liquor license at 1150 Station Street. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS The General Manager of Community Services submits the choice of A or B for CONSIDERATION. COUNCIL POLICY Council policy requires that new liquor license applications be subject to a referendum prior to receiving final consideration if the premises are located in close proximity to residential accommodation. PURPOSE 484946 B.C. Ltd., represented by Dennis Coates, Q.C., is requesting a City Council resolution endorsing its application for a 30-seat Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub at 1150 Station Street. The proposed hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week. BACKGROUND The subject premises are located in the FC-1 (East False Creek) zoning district and the M-1 (Industrial) zoning district (Appendix A). The proposed pub will be located in a 500 sq. ft. area leased from Via Rail Canada Inc. The surrounding area is a mixture of industrial, warehouse and commercial. The closest residential is located at the Ivanhoe Hotel and City Gate. Science World is approximately 1,000 feet west of the subject site. There are four Class 'A' Pubs (785 seats) and approximately four licensed restaurants in the survey area. DISCUSSION This proposal is for a small (30 seat) Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub with a maximum closing time of 11:00 p.m. The neighbourhood impacts should be minimal due to the isolated location. The applicant confirms that there will be no entertainment and that the primary focus of this establishment will be to service travellers leaving the station by bus or train. There will be no off-premise sales at this location. This facility would be similar to the lounges found at the airport, but the Liquor Control and Licensing Act will not permit a private lounge at this location. COMMENTS The Police Department feels that another liquor establishment in this area is not advisable. Within two blocks there are three hotels with bars (Cobalt, American and Ivanhoe Hotels) that have not been well managed. It is felt the neighbouring community (City Gate) would not tolerate another liquor premise at this time, given the number of complaints generated by those already in existence. The Environmental Health Division has no objection to this application in principle, but points out there was no pub/food outlet at this location at the time of inspection. The proposed area will have to be renovated to full compliance of the Health By-law. The Planning Department advises that a Neighbourhood Public House is a "conditional" use at this location and would require a development permit application. The review process for this type of development would include an assessment of the impact on neighbouring sites and compliance with the Neighbourhood or Marine Public House Guidelines adopted by City Council. The Social Planning Department has no comment. The Housing Centre does not oppose this application because of the small (30 seats) size, the early closing time, no entertainment and the intended market of train travellers. CONCLUSION Staff generally support sending this application to an area referendum. The Police Department has concerns related to additional liquor seats, but the neighbourhood impacts will be mitigated because of the small number of seats, no entertainment and no off-premise sales. * * *