PART REPORT TO COUNCIL
VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION
July 24, 1997
A regular meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was
held on Thursday, July 24, 1997, at 7:40 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1,
third floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Daniel Lee
ALSO PRESENT: Inspector Dave Jones, i/c District 1,
Police Department
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Rae T. Wylson
NOTE FROM CLERK: Agenda items 4 and 5 were considered together.
4. 900 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub
and Brew Pub 490811 B.C. Ltd. File No: 2613-2
5. 952 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub
Gilligan's Entertainment Inc. File No: 2615-2
The Commission had before it two Administrative Reports dated July
8, 1997 (attached), in which the Chief License Inspector advised of
requests for Council resolutions endorsing the following applications:
- 490811 B.C. Ltd.; Class D Neighbourhood Pub and Brew Pub at 900
Granville Street; and
- Gilligan's Entertainment Ltd.; Class D Neighbourhood Pub at 952
Granville Street.
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, reviewed the details of
the applications as contained in the staff reports. At its Planning and
Environment Committee meeting on June 19, 1997 Council referred these
two applications to the Commission's July 24, 1997 meeting. Applicants
for both premises have agreed to Council's policies for Theatre Row.
However, neither application meets Council's criteria to relocate seats
from residential areas to Granville Street.
There are a number of other applications for Theatre Row which have
been filed with the City. Final information regarding the number and
nature of applications will not be available until the fall. Therefore
staff recommended caution in approving one or both applications at this
time as it may preclude some other applications for the 900 block of
Granville Street.
900 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub and Brew Pub 490811
B.C. Ltd.
In an Administrative Report dated July 8, 1997, the Chief License
Inspector submitted the following motions for consideration:
A. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the
request by 490811 B.C. Ltd. for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub
and Brew Pub with 65-seats (plus a potential 20 seat patio on
private property and subject to the patio closing at 10:00
p.m.) at 900 Granville Street, having considered the opinion
of the area residents and business operators as determined
through the neighbourhood notification process;
or
B. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the
application by 490811 B.C. Ltd. for a Class D Neighbourhood
Pub and Brew Pub with 65-seats (plus a potential 20-seat
patio on private property and subject to the patio closing at
l0:00 p.m.) at 900 Granville Street, having considered the
opinion of residents and business operators as determined
through the neighbourhood notification process;
The Chief License Inspector also submitted the following
recommendation for consideration:
C. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission request that
the General Manager, Liquor Control and Licensing Branch
consider approving two or more Class D Neighbourhood Pubs
located in close proximity in the Granville Street
Entertainment District.
The Chair invited speakers for the application.
Dennis Coates, Mair Jensen Blair, representing the applicant, and
Richard Jaffray, President of Cactus Restaurants, provided a brief
overview of the proposed development for the site which is to include a
restaurant, patio, pub and possibly a cabaret. The Commission was
provided for information pictures of Cactus Restaurants recently opened
restaurant in Burnaby (on file). In addition, a copy of the development
plan was circulated for the Commission's review.
In response to questions of the Commission, the following
information was provided by Messrs. Coates and Jaffray:
- the lease for 900 Granville Street is owned jointly (50:50) between
Cactus Restaurants and Granville Entertainment;
- Granville Entertainment is a limited partner in the project and
will not be involved in the day-to-day operation of the facility;
- Granville Entertainment has an option to purchase 50% of the liquor
license;
- the development will bring almost 24-hour activity to the area,
from 6:00 a.m. starting time for the restaurant prep team to the
3:00 a.m. clean up crew;
- details regarding esthetics of the development and access to the
various sections;
- fire codes and liquor licensing regulations require the licensed
establishments be separated;
- there will be no exotic dancing or off-site sales and the applicant
is willing to sign an agreement to this end;
- patio is located on private property and is contained within the
design of the building; and
- if approved, the facility is expected to open in the summer of
1998.
Charles Wertman, speaker, (letter on file) expressed support for
the application provided it is limited to a 65-seat pub. If the
application were to include a Cabaret license, Mr. Wertman recommended
delaying consideration of the application until such time as the other
Cabaret license applications for the area are being considered.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put,
THAT Consideration A and Recommendation C of the Chief License
Inspector, contained in the Administrative Report dated July 8,
1997, be approved.
- amended
The following motion was put by Councillor Kennedy (in amendment):
THAT Consideration A of the foregoing motion be amended as follows:
i) by inserting between "having considered" and "the opinion",
the following:
the proximity to other facilities, traffic and
parking issues, noise impacts in the neighbourhood,
ii) by striking ";" and inserting:
and subject to there being no off-site sales or
exotic dancers; and
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The motion, as amended, and reading as follows, was put and CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY, therefore the Commission,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request
by 490811 B.C. Ltd. for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub and Brew Pub
with 65-seats (plus a potential 20 seat patio on private property
and subject to the patio closing at 10:00 p.m.) at 900 Granville
Street, having considered the proximity to other facilities,
traffic and parking issues, noise impacts in the neighbourhood, the
opinion of the area residents and business operators as determined
through the neighbourhood notification process and subject to there
being no off-site sales or exotic dancers; and
THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission request that the
General Manager, Liquor Control and Licensing Branch consider
approving two or more Class D Neighbourhood Pubs located in close
proximity in the Granville Street Entertainment District.
952 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub Gilligan's
Entertainment Ltd.
In the Administrative Report dated July 8, 1997, the Chief License
Inspector submitted the following motions for consideration:
A. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the
request by Gilligan s Entertainment Inc. for a 65-seat Class D
Neighbourhood Pub, (plus a possible 20-seat patio on private
property and subject to the patio closing at 10:00 p.m.) at
952 Granville Street, having considered the opinion of the
area residents and business operators as determined through
the neighbourhood notification process;
or
B. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the
application by Gilligan s Entertainment Inc. for a 65-seat
Class D Neighbourhood Pub (plus a possible 20-seat patio on
private property and subject to the patio closing at 10:00
p.m.) at 952 Granville Street, having considered the opinion
of residents and business operators as determined through the
neighbourhood notification process.
The Chair invited speakers for the application.
Dennis Coates, Mair Jensen Blair, representing the applicant, and
Blaine Culling and Arnold Silber, joint partners in Granville
Entertainment, advised this application, originally intended for a
restaurant and cabaret, is now intended for a restaurant and pub.
In response to questions of the Commission, Mr. Culling provided
information concerning the proposal, including:
- the British theme pub will feature folk singers and duos as
entertainment;
- restaurant and pub will both front onto Granville Street, separated
by a common foyer;
- restaurant to include an internalized patio; and
- the application will be considered by LCLB at its August 6, 1997
meeting.
The Commission noted its interest in the details of any proposals
for Theatre Row and expressed concern that plans for the site were
unavailable. In addition, members expressed concern that approval of
this application immediately following its approval of the 900 Granville
Street application may jeopardize both applications due to their
similarity and close proximity. The original application for 952
Granville Street for a cabaret rather than a pub had made the
differences between the two establishments more significant.
Discussion ensued regarding referral of this application to
Council. Staff cautioned against deferring the matter over the summer.
LCLB policy is to consider one application at a time for any given
neighbourhood, in the order in which the applications are submitted.
Furthermore, applications are not closed until all appeals are
exhausted. In the case of the two Granville Street applications, 900
Granville Street was submitted first and as such, will postpone LCLB's
consideration of the 952 Granville Street application until 900
Granville Street is resolved. Additionally, LCLB approval of both
applications will require amendment to their current policy.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried,
therefore the Commission,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the request by Gilligan's Entertainment Inc. for a 65-seat
Class D Neighbourhood Pub, (plus a possible 20-seat patio on
private property and subject to the patio closing at 10:00 p.m.) at
952 Granville Street, be referred to Council;
FURTHER THAT staff be requested to report back at that Council
meeting concerning the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch process
for considering applications and timing implications.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
Attachments: Administrative Report dated July 8, 1997
900 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub
and Brew Pub: 490811 B.C. Ltd.
Administrative Report dated July 8, 1997
Inc.952 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub
Gilligan's Entertainment
SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 4
VLLC
JULY 24, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 8, 1997
File: 900 Granville St.
C.C. File No.: 2613-2
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: 900 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub
and Brew Pub: 490811 B.C. Ltd.
CONSIDERATION
A. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the
request by 490811 B.C. Ltd. for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub
and Brew Pub with 65-seats (plus a potential 20 seat patio on
private property and subject to the patio closing at 10:00
p.m.) at 900 Granville Street, having considered the opinion
of the area residents and business operators as determined
through the neighbourhood notification process;
or
B. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the
application by 490811 B.C. Ltd. for a Class D Neighbourhood
Pub and Brew Pub with 65-seats (plus a potential 20-seat
patio on private property and subject to the patio closing at
l0:00 p.m.) at 900 Granville Street, having considered the
opinion of residents and business operators as determined
through the neighbourhood notification process;
RECOMMENDATION
C. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission request that
the General Manager, Liquor Control and Licensing Branch
consider approving two or more Class D Neighbourhood Pubs
located in close proximity in the Granville Street
Entertainment District.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services submits the choice of A
or B for CONSIDERATION and RECOMMENDS C. COUNCIL POLICY
On June 19, 1997, Council approved the following:
A. That the 700, 800 and 900 Blocks of Granville Street be
designated as the Theatre Row Entertainment District and that
the Director of Central Area Planning, in consultation with
the Director of Legal Services, report back with appropriate
amendments to the Downtown Official Development Plan and other
relevant bylaw and policy documents to encourage a variety of
entertainment uses and activities.
B. THAT allowance be made in principle for a combined total of up
to 1,000 Class A (Hotel Pub or Lounge), Class C (Cabaret) and
Class D (Neighbourhood Pub) liquor licensed seats on Theatre
Row, consistent with the Theatre Row Policing Strategy and
generally distributed as follows:
1. 700 Block of Granville - two cabarets, or one cabaret and
two neighbourhood pubs, or one cabaret and one hotel pub
and/or lounge and one neighbourhood pub.
2. 800 Block of Granville - two neighbourhood pubs, or one
hotel pub and/or lounge and a neighbourhood pub, or
possible consideration of a cabaret on the west side of
Granville and one neighbourhood pub.
3. 900 Block of Granville - two cabarets and two
neighbourhood pubs, or one cabaret and three
neighbourhood pubs, or one cabaret, two neighbourhood
pubs and one hotel pub/lounge.
THAT the Chief License Inspector bring forward to the July Vancouver
Liquor Licensing Commission meeting applications for Class D
Neighbourhood Pubs at 900 and 952 Granville Street.
PURPOSE
490811 B.C. Ltd. are requesting a Council resolution endorsing the
request for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub and Brew Pub at 900 Granville
Street.
BACKGROUND
In May 1992, Council established an interim liquor licensing policy that
new licensed seats or extensions of hours not be permitted in Downtown
South, pending a liquor license review and a report back on future
policy for this area. This review has been completed and was endorsed
by Council on June 19, 1997.
In February 1995, 490811 B.C. Ltd., (at that time doing business as
Cactus Restaurants Ltd.) applied for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub. This
application was not processed due to the moratorium in the Downtown
South area.
DISCUSSION
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch guidelines define a Brew Pub "as the
combination of a pub with small brewery making beer on a limited
production basis. Sale of the beer is restricted to on-premise
consumption and in some instances through off-sales if the product is
packaged in approved sizes".
The proposed 65-seat Class D Neighbourhood Pub and Brew Pub will be part
of a multi-level entertainment complex comprising two floors and a
rooftop garden patio. The hours of operation will be from 11:00 a.m. to
12:00 midnight.
Located on the prominent southeast corner of Granville and Smithe
Streets, the ground floor of the building will house a Cactus Club Cafe,
while the second level will encompass the 65-seat Class D Neighbourhood
Pub and Brew Pub. In the summertime, a 125-seat rooftop garden cafe
will offer outdoor dining, in conjunction with a Restaurant-Class 1.
The applicant has agreed to conform with the following recommendations
of the Theatre Row Liquor Licensing Policy:
- minimize noise and line-up impacts;
- install non-breakable glass for ground-floor storefronts;
- provide active street-front daytime retail or services for the
interest and enjoyment of pedestrians;
- operate video cameras to adjacent sidewalks and lanes;
- provide adequate lighting in the lanes;
- provide only services and emergency accesses to and from the
lanes;
- work with staff, local merchants and property owners to
improve the cleanliness and reduce the amount of graffiti and
litter on the street, lanes and adjacent properties;
- development of a renovated building, designed to enhance
Theatre Row s historic character;
- add to the variety of entertainment opportunities needed to
ensure the success and vitality of Theatre Row as an
entertainment district, and work with Theatre Row business
people, Barwatch and other groups in the area to revitalize
Granville Street;
- monitor the balance of entertainment and shopping requirements
of the community.
The subject premises are in the DD Downtown District (Appendix A). The
adjacent portion of the Granville Mall is developed with entertainment
uses, such as theatres, arcades, retail stores and restaurants. The
closest residential accommodation is the Gresham Hotel, located
approximately 80 feet west of the subject premises. The area to the
south and east is undergoing redevelopment to high density residential
uses.
Within the survey area are the New Continental Hotel, Helmcken House and
the Gresham Hotel, all subsidized residential facilities.
Also within the survey area are three Class A Pubs (699 seats), seven
Class A Lounges (647 seats), nine Class C Cabarets (2471 seats), with
the closest government liquor store located at 1120 Alberni Street.
COMMENTS
The Police Department has no specific concerns regarding this
application as it appears it meets the Policing Strategy for the Theatre
Row Entertainment District. Recent information regarding the intended
use of the Commodore as a 900-seat cabaret with mostly taped music will
severely tax resources in this district.
The Environmental Health Division of the Health Board notes the
possibility of noise complaints from the residences at 936 and 1006
Granville and the top floors of 716 Smithe Street, which face Granville
Street.
The Planning Department has reviewed this application and notes that
this site is located in the "Downtown South" portion of the (DD)
Downtown Zoning District.
Any proposal for a change of use to Neighbourhood Public House would
require the submission of a development permit application. The review
process for an application of this type would include an assessment of
the expected impact on nearby residential uses.
Further, while this type of use may be consistent with a Theatre
Row Entertainment District, any development permit application would
also be assessed against the City Council approved Granville
Street(Downtown South Guidelines).
The Social Planning Department and Housing Centre point out that the pub
is located across the street from the Gresham Hotel, which is a 40-unit,
single-room occupancy facility. It will be important that the pub be
constructed, operated and managed to minimize the effects of noise and
closing time street activities on the tenants.
CONCLUSION
This application meets the intent of the Theatre Row Entertainment
Policy and addresses the Policing Strategy issues identified for this
area. Council should be aware that approving one or two Class D
Neighbourhood Pub applications at this time may preclude some other
applications for the 900 block of Granville Street.
* * * *
SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 5
VLLC
JULY 24, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 8, 1997
File: 952 Granville St.
C.C. File No.: 2615-2
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: Inc.952 Granville Street - Class D Neighbourhood Pub
Gilligan's Entertainment
CONSIDERATION
A. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the
request by Gilligan's Entertainment Inc. for a 65-seat Class D
Neighbourhood Pub, (plus a possible 20-seat patio on private
property and subject to the patio closing at 10:00 p.m.) at
952 Granville Street, having considered the opinion of the
area residents and business operators as determined through
the neighbourhood notification process;
or
B. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the
application by Gilligan's Entertainment Inc. for a 65-seat
Class D Neighbourhood Pub (plus a possible 20-seat patio on
private property and subject to the patio closing at 10:00
p.m.) at 952 Granville Street, having considered the opinion
of residents and business operators as determined through the
neighbourhood notification process.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services submits the choice of A
or B for CONSIDERATION.
COUNCIL POLICY
On June 19, 1997, Council approved the following:
A. That the 700, 800 and 900 Blocks of Granville Street be
designated as the Theatre Row Entertainment District and that
the Director of Central Area Planning, in consultation with
the Director of Legal Services, report back with appropriate
amendments to the Downtown Official Development Plan, and
other relevant bylaw and policy documents to encourage a
variety of entertainment uses and activities.
B. THAT allowances be made in principle for a combined total of
up to 1,000 Class A (Hotel Pub or Lounge), Class C (Cabaret)
and Class D (Neighbourhood Pub) liquor licensed seats on
Theatre Row, consistent with the Theatre Row Policing Strategy
and generally distributed as follows:
1. 700 Block of Granville - two cabarets, or one cabaret and
two neighbourhood pubs, or one cabaret and one hotel pub
and/or lounge and one neighbourhood pub.
2. 800 Block of Granville - two neighbourhood pubs, or one
hotel pub and/or lounge and a neighbourhood pub, or
possible consideration of a cabaret on the west side of
Granville and one neighbourhood pub.
3. 900 Block of Granville - two cabarets and two
neighbourhood pubs, or one cabaret and three
neighbourhood pubs, or one cabaret, two neighbourhood
pubs and one hotel pub/lounge.
C. THAT the Chief License Inspector brings forward to the July
Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission meeting applications for
Class D Neighbourhood Pubs at 900 and 952 Granville Street.
PURPOSE
Gilligan's Entertainment Inc. is requesting a Council resolution
endorsing its request for a Class D Neighbourhood Pub at 952 Granville
Street.
BACKGROUND
In May 1992, Council established an interim liquor licensing policy that
new licensed seats or extensions of hours not be permitted in Downtown
South, pending a liquor license review and a report back on future
policy for this area. This review has been completed and was endorsed
by Council on June 19, 1997.
In March 1995, Gilligan's Entertainment applied for a Class D
Neighbourhood Pub. On June 7, 1995, the Vancouver Liquor Licensing
Commission was advised that the applicant had withdrawn the application
in light of the moratorium in the Downtown South area.
DISCUSSION
This application is for a 65-seat Class D Neighbourhood Pub, with a
possible 20-seat patio, combined with a restaurant fronting on Granville
Street. The proposed hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
seven days a week.
The applicant has agreed to conform with the following recommendations
of the Theatre Row Liquor Licensing Policy:
- minimize noise and line up impacts;
- install non-breakable glass for ground-floor storefronts;
- provide active street-front daytime retail or services for the
interest and enjoyment of pedestrians;
- operate video cameras to adjacent sidewalks and lanes;
- provide adequate lighting in the lanes;
- provide only services and emergency accesses to and from the
lanes;
- work with staff, local merchants and property owners to
improve the cleanliness and reduce the amount of graffiti and
litter on the street, lanes and adjacent properties;
- development of a new building, designed to enhance Theatre
Row's historic character;
- add to the variety of entertainment opportunities needed to
ensure the success and vitality of Theatre Row as an
entertainment district, and work with Theatre Row business
people, Barwatch and other groups in the area to revitalize
Granville Street;
- monitor the balance of entertainment and shopping requirements
of the community.
The subject premises are located on the Granville Mall and are in the DD
Downtown District (Appendix A). The adjacent portion of the Granville
Mall is developed with entertainment uses, such as theatres, arcades,
retail stores and restaurants. The closest residential accommodation is
the Siesta Hotel, located approximately 50 feet north of the subject
premises. The area to the south and east is undergoing redevelopment to
high density residential uses.
Within the survey area are the New Continental Hotel, Brooklyn Court,
Helmcken House and the Gresham Hotel, all subsidized residential
facilities.
Also within the survey area are three Class A Pubs (699 seats), seven
Class A Lounges (647 seats) and nine Class C Cabarets (2471 seats) with
the closest liquor store located at 1120 Alberni Street. COMMENTS
The Police Department has no specific concerns regarding this
application as it appears it meets the Policing Strategy for the Theatre
Row Entertainment District. Recent information regarding the intended
use of the Commodore as a 900 seat cabaret with mostly taped music will
severely tax resources in this district.
The Environmental Health Division of the Health Board notes the
possibility of noise complaints from the residences at 936 and 1006
Granville and the top floors of 716 Smithe Street, which face Granville
Street.
The Planning Department has reviewed this application and notes that
this site is located in the "Downtown South" portion of the (DD)
Downtown Zoning District.
Any proposal for a change of use to Neighbourhood Public House would
require the submission of a development permit application. The review
process for an application of this type would include an assessment of
the expected impact on nearby residential uses.
Further, while this type of use may be consistent with a Theatre Row
Entertainment District, any development permit application would also be
assessed against the City Council approved Granville Street (Downtown
South Guidelines).
The Social Planning Department and Housing Centre point out that this
pub is located across the street from the Gresham Hotel, which is a
40-unit, single-room occupancy facility owned and operated by the City.
It will be important that the pub be constructed, operated and managed
to minimize the effects of noise and closing time street activities on
the tenants.
CONCLUSION
This application meets the intent of the Theatre Row Entertainment
Policy and addresses the Policing Strategy issues identified for this
area. Council should be aware that approving one or two Class D
Neighbourhood Pub applications at this time may preclude some other
applications for the 900 block of Granville Street.
* * * *