ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: April 23, 1998

Author/Local: Guy Gusdal/6461

CC File No. 2612-2

TO:	Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM:	Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT:	501 Denman Street - Harbour Cruises HF Management Ltd.

CONSIDERATION

A.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 HF Management Ltd. for limited dockside liquor service prior to departure of the charter cruise vessels M.V. Britannia, M.V. Constitution, M.V. Hollyburn, M.V. Spirit of Vancouver II and M.V. Harbour Princess, operated by Harbour Cruises; and

FURTHER THAT this endorsement be subject to the following conditions:

i)Dockside liquor service be limited to one hour prior to departure.

ii)No dockside liquor service be permitted upon a vessel’s return to dock.

iii)Dockside liquor service for departing vessels be limited to between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

iv)That all these vessels obtain the required Province of B.C. health permit for food service;

OR

B.THAT Vancouver City Council defer this application for one year, pending occupancy of the adjacent residential buildings and further notification of the residents and businesses in the area;

OR

C.THAT Vancouver City Council advise the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not support the application by HF Management Ltd. for limited dockside liquor service prior to departure of the charter cruise vessels of M.V. Britannia, M.V. Constitution, M.V. Hollyburn, M.V. Spirit of Vancouver II and M.V. Harbour Princess.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services submits the choice of A, B or C for CONSIDERATION.

COUNCIL POLICY

There are no Council policy guidelines regarding dockside liquor service.

PURPOSE

HF Management Ltd. is requesting a Council resolution endorsing the application for limited dockside liquor service prior to departure for the M.V. Britannia, M.V. Constitution, M.V. Hollyburn, M.V. Spirit of Vancouver II and the M.V. Harbour Princess charter cruises at Harbour Cruises’ facilities at the north foot of Denman Street.

BACKGROUND

HF Management Ltd. operates the M.V. Britannia, M.V. Constitution, M.V. Hollyburn, M.V. Spirit of Vancouver II and the M.V. Harbour Princess.

Liquor Control and Licensing Branch Policy No. A426 states that "liquor may not be served when the vessel is tied up at dock or anchored offshore". The applicant adheres to this policy but requests a resolution of Council enabling an approach to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for an exercise of discretion of Branch policy to allow limited dockside liquor service approximately one half to one hour prior to departure.

The applicant wishes to provide better service to groups such as convention and conference delegates who sometimes arrive early for the scheduled cruise, only to find they cannot be served a beverage until the vessel has sailed. Bookings from the corporate sector often involve directors who have had a meeting on shore, which is followed by a luncheon or dinner cruise. These clients are often accompanied by a spouse or partner who, again, may arrive early but cannot be served until the cruise is underway.

Liquor service on board the vessels usually occur between 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and dockside service would be between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Liquor service is always terminated before the vessels return to dock.

The cruises are closed, private events and passengers are not likely to cause disturbances or create problems. The majority of the licensed areas are located in the interior of the vessels and the moorage location is some distance from land-based residents.

Within the survey area are retail, restaurant, office, residential, park and marina uses. The closest Provincial Government liquor store is located at 1716 Robson Street (Appendix A). There are approximately four licensed restaurants within the survey area

DISCUSSION

This is the first application by a charter boat service for dockside liquor service at the primary docking facilities. Dockside service is presently not permitted under current Liquor Control and Licensing Branch policy. Therefore, a change in Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (Circular 552) would be required prior to the commencement of any dockside service.

Consideration should also be given to the City’s desire to promote high density residential development in the Coal Harbour area. There is a large residential development under construction across from the docking facilities at Denman Street.

COMMENTS

The Police Department is opposed to any dockside service, citing current enforcement problems with other charter services and the Marine Squad’s limited resources to effectively deal with any increase in liquor service on charter vessels.

The Environmental Health Division of the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board has no objections provided no dockside liquor service occurs after 10:00 p.m. each evening.

The Planning Department, Social Planning Department and Housing Centre have no comments.

The results of the neighbourhood notification process will be provided to the Commission at its meeting.

CONCLUSION

Staff is putting this application forward for Council’s consideration, noting there is no policy for dockside liquor service, the application is opposed by the Police Department and that large residential developments are under construction in close proximity to the docking area.

Feedback from the area notification will provide Council with valuable information related to existing and potential impacts from liquor service on these vessels.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver