I

REPORT TO COUNCIL

VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION

April 23, 1998

A regular meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was held on Thursday, April 23, 1998, at 7:30 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT: Councillor Don Bellamy, Chair

Councillor Alan Herbert

Councillor Daniel Lee

ABSENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy (on Civic Business)

ALSO PRESENT: Michael Gordon, Central Area Planning

Guy Gusdal, License Coordinator

Inspector Dave Jones, i/c District 1, Police Department

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector

CLERK: Gil Mervyn

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission regular meeting held February 5, 1998, were adopted as circulated.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Motor Vessel "Hotei" File: 2612-2

Class `A' Lounge Liquor License

The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated March 25, 1998, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended endorsement of a request by Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. for a Class `A' Lounge liquor license on board the M.V. Hotei, (on file).

The M.V. Hotei is certified by Transport Canada to carry 100 passengers and is chartered for private business conferences, weddings, anniversary celebrations, sightseeing tours and charity fundraising events. The Police Department is in favour of this application as it is a well-run vessel. The Marine Squad encouraged the applicants to make this request to save obtaining special occasion licenses.

cont'd

Clause No. 1 (cont'd)

Neighbourhood notification is not required for this type of application, as liquor is only served while the motor vessel is at sea, which will result in minimal neighbourhood impact.

Guy Gusdal, License Coordinator, briefly reviewed the details of the Administrative Report, noting the City rarely receives noise complaints arising from the operation of licensed motor vessels.

The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried. Therefore, the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT Vancouver City Council endorse the request by Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. for a Class `A' (motor vessel) liquor license on board the M.V. Hotei, subject to Liquor Control and Licensing Branch circular number 552.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. 550 West Hastings Street: Delta Vancouver Suite Hotel File: 2612-8

Class `A' Lounge Liquor License (New Hotel)

The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated March 9, 1998, in which the Chief License Inspector recommended endorsement of a request by Conference Plaza Hotel (G.P.) Ltd. for a 50-seat Class `A' Lounge liquor license at the Delta Vancouver Suite Hotel, 550 West Hastings Street (on file). The applicant proposes to operate the lounge on the main floor of the hotel. Full liquor service will be available in the lounge from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily. Coffee and breakfast pastries will be served in the lounge prior to liquor licensing hours.

The neighbourhood notification process resulted in one letter of support for the application (on file).

cont'd

Clause No. 2 (cont'd)

Guy Gusdal, License Coordinator, reviewed the details of the Administrative Report. In response to a question, Mr Gusdal confirmed the hours of operation of the licensed lounge, would be limited to 11:00 am to 1:00 am daily (except closing at midnight on Sundays), in accordance with Provincial Liquor License Regulations.

Mark Armstrong, General Manager, Delta Vancouver Suite Hotel, explained the hotel was a "full service" 227- room hotel, geared towards tourists. Although each hotel room was equipped as a residential "suite", no kitchens are provided. The hotel provides full restaurant and 24-hour room service.

Sam Campbell, representing the Downtown South Association, expressed support for the application, noting the hotel development had been a positive addition to the area. During his presentation, Mr Campbell recommended additional lighting be provided at the entrance to the hotel in order to improve security for hotel guests and other area residents.

In response to a question, Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, advised 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 there is little or no community opposition determined in response to neighbourhood notification.

The following motion by Councillor Hebert was put and carried. Therefore, the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT Council endorse the request from Conference Plaza Hotel (G.P.) Ltd., for a 50-seat Class `A' Lounge liquor license at the Delta Vancouver Suite Hotel, 550 West Hastings Street, having considered the support of residents and business operators of the community, as determined by neighbourhood notification.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. 3681 West 4th Avenue -Jericho Pub Inc. (Jeremiah's) File: 2615-2

The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated March 31, 1998, in which the Chief License Inspector submitted for consideration the endorsement of a request by Jericho Pub Inc.(doing business as Jeremiah's) to amend the hours of operation of its existing neighbourhood pub located at 3681 West 4th Avenue. Revised hours of operation would allow the pub to remain open one hour later, until 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights only.

The neighbourhood notification process resulted in three letters opposing and one letter supporting the application.

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, reviewed the details of the report, and advised the existing operation had 101 seats, rather than the 65 seats plus 20-seat patio, as noted in the report.

Dennis Coates, agent for the applicant, advised a similar application had been considered by the Commission in 1995. The Commission directed the application be subject to the results of a referendum. The applicant has not proceeded with the referendum due to cost and has requested that the referendum be waived. The applicant has agreed to the issuance of a time limited development permit for a later closing time.

In response to a question, Mr. Teichroeb recommended the time-limited development permit for this application be for period of one year, similar to the current practise applicable to Restaurant Class II licenses.

The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried. Therefore the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT Vancouver City Council, having considered the opinion of residents and business operators of the community as determined by neighbourhood notification, endorse the application by Jericho Pub Inc. for a change of hours on Friday and Saturday to between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. in the Class `D' Neighbourhood Pub (Jeremiah's) at 3681 West 4th Avenue, subject to the issuance of a time-limited development permit or legal agreement.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. 881 Granville Street - 354401 B.C. Ltd., Evia Enterprises Ltd.

and Shaggy Horse Cabaret Inc. - Class `C' Cabaret File: 2614-9

The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated April 2, 1998 in which the Chief License Inspector recommended endorsement of a request by 354401 BC Inc., Evia Enterprises Ltd. and Shabby Horse Cabaret Inc. to transfer the Class `C' Cabaret liquor licenses from the Red Door Cabaret, 818 Richards Street (150 seats) and the Palladium Cabaret (formerly Graceland), 1250 Richards Street (225 seats) to 881 Granville Street.

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, briefly reviewed the details of the report, noting this was the first application to propose a relocation of existing Cabaret seats from the residential area of Downtown South, which is a primary objective of the Theatre Row Entertainment District initiative. Potential applicants for Theatre Row have experienced difficultly locating an owner of a cabaret in the residential area who is willing to sell the seats, while at the same time finding a building to lease on Granville Street. The Red Door Cabaret is expected to cease operation, as the property has been purchased by the City, which intends to demolish the premises. The lease for the Palladium Cabaret location has two five-year renewals, and unless an alternate is found, could continue to operate at 1250 Richards Street for another 13 years. Staff recommend the application be endorsed subject to a time-limited development permit and a legal agreement for the relocation/ closure of the two existing cabarets. Approval of this application, which is for 275 seats, will ultimately result in a net reduction of 100 cabaret seats in the area. There may be an overlap of 225 seats, for an estimated period of up to 18 months, if the Palladium Cabaret continues to operate to the end of its existing lease.

In response to questioning, staff advised both existing Cabarets would likely cease operation at their present locations due to future development in the area, regardless of whether or not this application is approved.

Dennis Coates, agent for the applicants, circulated photographs and an artist's rendering to illustrate the existing Plaza Theatre and the concept of the proposed development. The proposed design will retain the existing heritage character of the Plaza Theatre, including the entrance lobby area, which would be used as a retail food and beverage business during the day. The use of the lobby area would be converted to a holding area for the cabaret during the evenings when the cabaret is in operation. The lobby/ holding area would not be licensed to serve alcohol at any time. This proposal would comply with the guideline for the Theatre Row Entertainment District to provide active street front daytime retail or services on Granville Street, as well as reduce line-ups on the Street during the evenings. cont'd

Clause No. 4 (cont'd)

Karen Peterson-Ivanick, representing the Theatre Row Business Association, expressed support for the application, but stressed the importance of ensuring the development results in a positive contribution to the area, including the provision of appropriate daytime activity on Granville Street.

Sam Campbell, speaking on behalf of the Downtown South Association, expressed support for the application as it will result in the relocation of the existing Cabarets out of the Downtown South residential area.

Neighbourhood notification resulted in one letter (on file) which emphasized the importance of daytime activity and the provision of proper premise management.

During discussion, Commission members noted the positive aspects of the application in relocating the existing cabaret seats outside residential area of the Downtown South and the proposed retention of the heritage character of the Plaza Theatre. Members also supported the proposed daytime food and beverage service, which would operate similar to a "double" license.

The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried. Therefore the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT Vancouver City Council endorse the request from 354401 B.C. Ltd., Evia Enterprises Ltd. and Shaggy Horse Cabaret Inc., for a Class `C' Cabaret with 275 seats at 881 Granville Street, having considered that the majority of area residents and businesses are in favour of this application. The Council also considered the proximity of other social facilities and public buildings, traffic impacts on existing and future residential, the appearance and overall design of the building and compliance with the plan for the area which has been designated as the Theatre Row Entertainment District;

cont'd

Clause No. 4 (cont'd)

FURTHER THAT this proposal is subject to the following conditions:

(i) The development permits for this use are restricted to a renewable four-month time limit.

(ii) Before the issuance of the business license the applicant sign a "good neighbour" agreement with the City.

(iii) A legal agreement with the City for the relocation or closure of the Red Door Cabaret , 818 Richards Street (150 seats) and the Palladium Cabaret (formerly Graceland) 1250 Richards Street (225 seats) to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services, the Chief License Inspector and the Director of Central Area Planning.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. 800 Griffiths Way - Orca Bay Arena Corp. (GM Place) File: 2616-1

During its meeting held January 8, 1998, the Commission considered a request by Orca Bay Arena Corporation to expand the number of licensed patio/plaza areas outside of GM Place and deferred the request for three months pending report back by the Police Department to this meeting.

The Commission had for consideration a request from Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment, dated April 6, 1998 (on file), requesting a further deferment.

The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried. Therefore the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT consideration of the request by Orca Bay Arena Corporation to expand the number of licenses patio areas outside the gates at GM Place and the use of the North and south plaza areas for brief periods of time prior to, during and after bona fide arena events, be deferred.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

INFORMATION

6. 7 Alexander Street - Fluid Lounge File: 2611

Councillor Herbert referred to a letter dated April 13, 1998 from the Gastown Homeowners Association, expressing concern regarding the noise, rioting and other disturbances from the Fluid Lounge at 7 Alexander Street. Staff were requested to report back on actions taken by staff in response to this letter.

The Commission adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver