ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: October 2, 1996
Dept. File No.2200IC.COV
C.C. File: 2613-1
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Deputy Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: 15 Water Street - Purple Onion Cabaret Inc.
Increase in Seating Capacity - Class 'C' Cabaret
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the Liquor
Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the application by
the Purple Onion Cabaret Inc., to increase seating capacity by 38
seats in the 'C' Cabaret at 15 Water Street.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
On November 6, 1993, Council approved a recommendation that no new
liquor licenses or amendments to existing licenses to increase seating
capacity or extend hours of sale (except restaurant Class 'B-1' license)
be permitted in the Downtown Eastside or Gastown areas.
PURPOSE
The Purple Onion Cabaret Inc., is requesting a Council resolution
endorsing its request to increase seating capacity by 38 seats, making a
total of 350, in the Class 'C' Cabaret at 15 Water Street.
BACKGROUND
The subject premises are located in the Gastown area, which is zoned
HA-2 (Appendix A). This neighbourhood is a mixture of retail, office
and residential. There are 365 low-income housing units within a 300
foot radius. There is also a day care centre, the Downtown Eastside
Women's Centre and a detox centre located within the survey area, along
with 11 Class 'A' Pubs (1635 seats), three Class 'A' Lounges (235
seats), 11 Class 'C' Cabarets (1865 seats), and 35 licensed restaurants.
DISCUSSION
The Purple Onion Cabaret, which was formerly Punchlines Comedy Club, was
purchased by the applicant in 1995, and the type of entertainment
changed to jazz and dance.
As a result of renovations undertaken in September 1995, the seating
capacity of the club was reduced from the permitted 337 to 312. Due to
the success of the club, the applicants feel there is now a need to
increase the capacity to 350. The hours of operation will remain the
same at Monday to Saturday 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday from 7:00
p.m. to 12 midnight.
The applicants state that at the time of the purchase they were not
aware of the moratorium in the Gastown area, and are requesting an
exemption from the policy.
COMMENTS
The Police Department is opposed. The Department is concerned that if
this amendment is granted, it will encourage other establishments in the
neighbourhood to apply for an increase in seating capacity.
Even with the present capacity, residents in the nearby single room
occupancy hotels have been complaining about the noise from the Purple
Onion, particularly at weekends. Windows have been left open allowing
the music from the live bands to emanate throughout the streets, and
patrons lining up outside have created disturbances.
It is felt that the residents in this changing area will not tolerate
disturbances, and an example would be the problems experienced between
Club NRG and residents.
The Environmental Health Department has no comments.
The Planning and Social Planning Departments recommend the moratorium on
new liquor seating in the Gastown area be continued.
The Housing Centre does not support this application because of the
moratorium and the close proximity to several low-income housing units.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommend that the existing moratorium on increased seating or new
licenses for the Gastown area be reaffirmed and this application not be
endorsed by Council. This area already has an over-abundance of cabaret
and pub seats which impact on the increasing residential component of
the neighbourhood. It is anticipated that a number of similar
applications will be filed by other establishments if this application
is endorsed.
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