SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2 VLLC AGENDA MARCH 14, 1996 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Date: February 19, 1996 Dept. File No.2183IC.COV TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission FROM: Deputy Chief License Inspector SUBJECT: 569 - 581 Hornby Street (New Hotel) Class 'A' Lounge RECOMMENDATION THAT Council endorse the request from Spectra Pacific Development Corporation for a Class 'A' Lounge liquor license in the proposed new hotel at 569 - 581 Hornby Street. GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing. COUNCIL POLICY City Council policy is to consider waiving the requirement for a referendum for new Class 'A' Lounge liquor licenses within an existing full-service hotel located in the downtown core, provided that it is illustrated that there is little or no community opposition as determined by the response to the pre-clearance notification process. PURPOSE Spectra Pacific Development Corporation is requesting a City Council resolution endorsing its application for a 100-seat, Class 'A' Lounge in the 126-suite hotel to be constructed at 569 - 581 Hornby Street. BACKGROUND The subject premises are located in the D.D. Zoning District, and the surrounding area is a mixture of retail, offices and hotels. Within a one-block radius of this site are the Vancouver Art Gallery, Pacific Centre Mall, Delta Place Hotel, Four Seasons' Hotel, Hotel Vancouver, Hyatt Regency, Hotel Georgia, The Vancouver Club and the Jolly Taxpayer Hotel (Appendix A). There are 16 Class 'A' Lounges (3,348 seats) one Class 'C' Cabaret (199 seats), five Class 'A' Pubs (859) seats and approximately 39 licensed restaurants within the 1,000 feet radius. DISCUSSION Liquor licenses for new hotels are normally processed as part of the development permit application. The applicant wishes a 100-seat Class 'A' Lounge with hours of operation from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight. The hotel and ancillary space will be approximately 71,870 sq. ft., with 63 underground parking spaces, and will be constructed on a site presently occupied by parking, a restaurant and a body rub parlour. Council policy is to consider waiving the referendum requirement for new Class 'A' liquor licenses in new hotels in the Downtown core, subject to the notification process. The intent of the policy is to include applications which would result in minimum neighbourhood impact. COMMENTS The Police Department does not foresee any policing problems relative to this application. The Environmental Health Division has no objection to the approval of this application. The Planning Department has received a development application requesting approval of the new hotel on this site. The proposal includes an area on the ground floor designated as a lounge area which, in conjunction with the hotel, is considered a customary ancillary use. The Social Planning Department has no comment. The Housing Centre has no comment on this application. * * *