SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
VLLC
JULY 24, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 3, 1997
File: 1128 W. Hastings
C.C. File No.: 2612-5
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: 1128 West Hastings Street: Pinnacle International
(Proposed New Hotel Site) - Class A Lounge,
Class A Pub, Restaurant-Class 2
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council endorse the request from Pinnacle International for
Class A Lounge (225-seats), Class A Pub (125-seats) and
Restaurant-Class 2 (375-seats with a 100-seat patio) liquor
licenses, subject to the outdoor patio closing at 11:00 p.m., at
the proposed new hotel at 1128 West Hastings Street.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
City Council policy is to waive the requirement for a referendum for a
full service hotel located in the downtown core, provided it is
illustrated that there is little or no community opposition as
determined by the response to the pre-clearance notification process.
PURPOSE
Pinnacle International is requesting a City Council resolution endorsing
the application for Class A Lounge, Class A Pub, and Restaurant-Class 2
liquor licenses in the proposed new hotel at 1128 West Hastings Street.
BACKGROUND
Pinnacle International is asking for City approval for the liquor
licensed areas of the proposed new hotel development at 1128 West
Hastings Street.
The proposed 725-seats will be allocated as follows:
- 225-seat Class A Lounge where the hours of operation would be
from 12 noon to 2:00 a.m., but depending upon the tourist
season may close earlier. This is located on level one
adjacent to the lobby, and the applicant envisions some light,
single-act entertainment;
- 125-seat Class A Pub, operating between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00
a.m.; and
- 375-seat Restaurant-Class 2, closing at 12:00 midnight. The
applicant anticipates there will be occasional live
entertainment.
There will be an additional convention/banquet room with an area of
8,900 sq.ft. and a meeting/banquet room with an area of 5,230 sq.ft.
The applicants originally requested a 275-seat Class C Cabaret as part
of this application. Staff has requested that this not be dealt with
until such time as the cabaret guidelines for the Central Business
District are in place. The applicant has agreed, but wish Council to
note that the cabaret application will come forward in the near future.
The applicants also wish to record their commitment to operate a Class G
Retail Beer and Wine Store in the future, should the Liquor Control and
Licensing Branch lift the current moratorium. The beerand wine store is
not part of this application.
The hotel will have 25-floors and approximately 450 rooms, with 286
parking spaces for hotel, retail and commercial use.
The subject premises are located in the DD Downtown zoning district and
the surrounding area is a mixture of retail, high-rise commercial
towers, hotels and shopping malls (Appendix A).
Located in the area are two Class A Pubs (437 seats), 18 Class A Lounges
(2887 seats), two Class C Cabarets (311 seats) and 44 licensed
restaurants.
DISCUSSION
This first class facility will cater to international and national
executives as well as tourist clientele. The applicant is currently
negotiating with an international flagship franchise to launch and
manage the hotel. They point out that the hotel will have some of the
best views and service amenities in the City and will contain a large
selection of conference rooms to cater to international clients.
The applicant is asking for approval of the liquor licensed areas prior
to issue of the Development Permit in order to finalize plans for the
facility. The final design may in fact have fewer licensed seats than
outlined in this application.
COMMENTS
The Police Department has no objections.
The Environmental Health Division of the Vancouver Health Board notes
that until detailed plans are submitted, it is difficult to assess this
application. An assessment will include the potential for noise
generation, an effective acoustical separation between the commercial
and residential portions of the buildings and a review of the outdoor
seating impacts.
The Planning Department notes that the Development Permit Board approved
"in principle" preliminary Development Application No. DE401550 to
develop this site with a 36-storey mixed-use
commercial/hotel/residential building containing retail, a hotel and 67
residential units. The complete Development Application has now been
approved, subject to a number of conditions. One of the conditions is
the requirement of a Council resolution regarding the liquor licensed
areas of the hotel.
The plans show a lounge, social lounge and restaurant with some outdoor
seating, but do not indicate either a pub or cabaret. The pub, cabaret,
and Restaurant-Class 2 will require further assessment and review as to
the appropriateness of these uses in conjunction with the residential
component and the impacts on neighbouring properties.
The Social Planning Department and the Housing Centre have no comments.
CONCLUSION
Staff support this application as liquor licensed facilities in new
full-service hotels have minimal impacts on the surrounding area. In
addition there is no residential within close proximity, other than the
residential suites in the subject building.
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APPENDIX A on file in City Clerk's Office