ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 17, 1999
Author/Local: Guy Gusdal (6461)
RTS No. 767

CC File No. 2612-1

TO:	Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM:	Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT:	602 Dunsmuir Street - St. Regis Hotel Change of Hours of Operation in Class ‘A’ Pub

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council endorse the request by St. Regis Investments Ltd., to change the hours of operation to between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m., Monday to Saturday, in the Class ‘A’ Pub at the St. Regis Hotel, 602 Dunsmuir Street, subject to the following:

i) A signed Good Neighbour Agreement

ii) A Legal Agreement to the satisfaction of the Chief License Inspector and the Director of Legal Services.

ACTING GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The Acting General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

On September 10, 1996, Council endorsed, in principal, a request for an extension of one hour to 1:00 a.m. from 12:00 midnight on Monday to Saturday when the City receives provincial authority to roll back hours.

PURPOSE

St. Regis Investments Ltd., is requesting a Council resolution fully endorsing their request for an extension of one hour to 1:00 a.m. from 12:00 midnight on Monday to Saturday.

BACKGROUND

On September 16, 1996, Council endorsed a reallocation of 52 seats from the pub to the lounge and approval in principal to change the closing time in the pub from 12:00 midnight to 1:00 a.m. on Monday to Saturday. This change was part of a major redevelopment of the St. Regis Hotel in a full-service facility, including a restaurant and banquet rooms. The adjoining site containing the old Bay Hotel was also consolidated with this site. The renovations to the original St. Regis Hotel are completed, which includes a Starbucks and a portion of the lounge on the main floor. The pub has been relocated to the south of the original hotel. Now that the renovations are nearing completion, the owners request that the 1:00 a.m. closing be approved, subject to a legal agreement and a Good Neighbour Agreement.

In December 1997, Council approved a policy to use a legal agreement with a provision to roll back hours, should problems arise as a result of the extended hours. While the City’s derived legal agreement is not the equivalent to the provincial authority to roll back hours, it is the best option available to the City at this time.

Two legal agreements to extend hours of operation have been signed to date, and these are Malone’s Bar & Grill, 608 W. Pender Street and Jeremiah’s Pub at 3681 W. 4th Avenue.

CONCLUSION

Staff recommends that the applicant’s request now be endorsed, subject to a legal agreement and a Good Neighbour Agreement, as this facility appears to be well managed, resulting in few enforcement issues. The original notification did not result in any negative response from the community.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver