SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 1
VLLC AGENDA
FEBRUARY 6, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: January 15, 1997
Dept. File No.2207IC.COV
C.C. File: 2611-2
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: 608 West Pender Street - Malone's Sports Bar & Grill (Clarence Hotel):
Change in Hours - Class 'A' Pub
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse
the application by Trevor Magee and Reid Flemons, doing business as Malone's Sports Bar & Grill, for a change in
hours in the Class 'A' Pub at 608 West Pender Street to:
Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council Policy requires that amendments to an existing liquor license be processed in the same manner as a new liquor
license application, except that a referendum is not required to amend an existing Class 'A' license for a full service
hotel located within the Downtown core.
PURPOSE
Trevor Magee and Reid Flemons, doing business as Malone's Sports Bar and Grill, are requesting a City Council resolution
endorsing their application for a change of hours in the Class 'A' Pub (120 seats) at the Clarence Hotel, 608 West Pender
Street.
Current hours of operation:
Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Proposed hours of operation:
Monday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
BACKGROUND
Malone's Sports Bar and Grill was located on Robson Street for four years. Its success necessitated larger quarters, and
in October 1995, it leased and moved to the pub in the Clarence Hotel. Renovations have since changed what was one of
downtown's older and less attractive hotels into an upscale establishment.
Malone's has a sports oriented theme, and the new location attracts patrons from GM Place and B.C. Place, which is within
walking distance. As most events in the Downtown area end between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., the applicants are
requesting a later closing to better accommodate their clientele.
The Clarence Hotel has 38 single occupancy rooms, and the applicant advises that the residents fully support the change
of hours.
The subject premises are located in the DD (Downtown) zoning district (Appendix A). The surrounding area is business
oriented, with high-rise office buildings, financial institutions, retail stores at street level and several older
long-term residential hotels. The closest residential is located on the upper floors of the Piccadilly Hotel (45 rooms).
There is also the Marble Arch Hotel, Niagara Hotel, Park Apartments, St. Clair Hotel and Central City Lodge, all
approximately within a one block radius. Also within the survey area are two religious centres, the YWCA, BCIT Downtown
Campus and Simon Fraser Downtown Campus. The closest government liquor store is located at 555 West Hastings Street.
There are seven Class 'A' Pubs (1,568 seats), nine Class 'A' Lounges (2,082 seats), four Class 'C' Cabarets (797 seats),
one Class 'D' Neighbourhood Pub (85 seats, which includes the patio) and approximately 31 licensed restaurants in the
survey area.
COMMENTS
The Police Department does not oppose this application as the premises have not posed any problems from an enforcement
point of view.
The Environmental Health Division of the Vancouver Health Board has no concerns other than the possible increase in noise
levels.
The Planning Department has concerns about future residential impacts, and notes that this location is in close proximity
to the site addressed as 526 - 528 West Hastings, which is zoned CD-1 and, if redeveloped, could include new residential
dwelling units.
The Social Planning Department is concerned about the future impacts on proposed residential in the Victory Square area.
The Housing Centre does not support this application because of the increased disruption to the tenants living above the
pub and the neighbours.
DISCUSSION
In 1996, the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission did not endorse similar requests for a change of hours by the
Piccadilly Hotel, 620 West Pender Street, and the Marble Arch Hotel, 518 Richards Street, having considered community
opinion as determined by neighbourhood notification.
Staff raised concerns related to future impacts on proposed residential for the Victory Square area. At present, the
City nor the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch have the power to roll back hours, should problems arise.
CONCLUSION
Due to neighbourhood concerns, requests for a change of hours by the Piccadilly and Marble Arch Hotels, which are located
in close proximity to the Clarence Hotel, were not endorsed by the Liquor Licensing Commission. Staff do not recommend
approval of this application until the Victory Square Plan and enforcement powers are in place.
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