SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 3
VLLC AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 14, 1995
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: August 3, 1995
Dept. File No.2172IC
TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
FROM: Deputy Chief License Inspector
SUBJECT: 615-631 Seymour Street - Okim Holdings Ltd.
Class 'C' Cabaret
CONSIDERATION
A. THAT consideration of the request by Okim Holdings Ltd., for a
350-seat Class 'C' Cabaret liquor license at 615 - 631 Seymour
Street be subject to the results of a referendum conducted in
accordance with existing City guidelines;
or
B. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the
request by Okim Holdings Ltd., for a 350-seat Class 'C'
Cabaret liquor license at 615 - 631 Seymour Street, having
considered the support of residents and business operators of
the community as determined by neighbourhood notification;
or
C. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission advise the
Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it does not support the
request by Okim Holdings Ltd., for a 350-seat Class 'C'
Cabaret liquor license at 615 - 631 Seymour Street.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services submits the choice of A,
B or C for CONSIDERATION.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council Policy requires that new liquor license applications be subject
to a referendum prior to receiving final consideration, if the premises
are located in close proximity to residential accommodation.
PURPOSE
Okim Holdings Ltd., is requesting a City Council resolution endorsing
its application for a 350-seat Class 'C' Cabaret liquor license at 615 -
631 Seymour Street.
Proposed hours of operation are:
Monday to Saturday 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 12 midnight
BACKGROUND
The subject premises are located in the DD (Downtown) zoning district.
The surrounding area is a mixture of retail, offices and restaurants.
There is a lane to the south of this site, and the St. Regis Hotel is on
the north side. There are three residential hotels (the Piccadilly, the
Clarence and the Marble Arch) and one rooming house (the St. Clair at
577 Richards Street) within the survey area. The closest liquor store
is located at 555 West Hastings Street.
Located in the survey area are the YWCA, BCIT campus, two religious
centres, the Salvation Army Central Residence and the Central City Lodge
(Appendix A.)
There are six Class 'A' Pubs (1,051 seats), nine Class 'A' Lounges
(1,304 seats), one Class 'C' Cabaret (199 seats), and 34 licensed
restaurants within the survey area.
DISCUSSION
Okim Holdings Ltd., recently purchased the St. Regis Hotel and the
unoccupied building at 615 - 631 Seymour Street, which abuts the hotel.
They are requesting a Class 'C' Cabaret liquor license for this
location, the objective being to provide an upscale, quality cabaret
which will cater to tourists and business people in the downtown core,
providing blues, jazz and folk music entertainment. From time to time
the facility would operate as a "supper club".
The adjacent hotel operates as a daily rental with no long-term
residential component. There is a Class 'A' Pub and lounge located in
the hotel.
COMMENTS
Police Department concerns relate to the late night closing of liquor
licensed facilities and the corresponding increase in service calls.
The Environmental Health Division advises that the owners must ensure
the noise levels from the proposed cabaret will meet the specified
limits under Vancouver Noise Bylaw #6580.
The Planning Department notes that a cabaret would be a "conditional"
use in this area, and would require a full review as part of a
development permit application. During the review process, a full
assessment would be made as to the suitability of this type of facility
at this location, and the effect it would have on neighbouring
properties.
The Social Planning Department has no comment on this application.
The Housing Centre has no objections to this application. The St. Regis
Hotel is not part of the City's SRO stock, as it provides nightly
accommodation, and the four residential buildings are far enough away
that any noise impacts would not be significant. There is one non-
market housing/SNRF in the area, located at 500 Dunsmuir Street. This
application is also consistent with City proposals to encourage cabarets
in non-residential areas.
CONCLUSION
There is no specific policy related to cabarets in the Downtown
District. It is anticipated that there will be little neighbourhood
impact, as this is a commercial activity area with lots of parking
available during the evening. There is potential for policing problems
at closing time, as expressed by the Police Department comments, but
this concern could apply to any new licensed entertainment facility.
While there is some residential in the neighbourhood, a referendum would
not likely reflect the opinion of these area residents. Staff suggest
that the Commission may wish to base the decision on the results of the
neighbourhood notification.