SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 3
                                                VLLC AGENDA
                                                MARCH 14, 1996     


                             ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                           Date: February 19, 1996
                                           Dept. File 2179IC.COV


   TO:       Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission

   FROM:     Deputy Chief License Inspector

   SUBJECT:  950 Granville Street - Class 'C' Cabaret


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT the  Vancouver Liquor  Licensing Commission advise  the Liquor
        Control and Licensing Branch it does not endorse the application by
        Charles Wertman for a Class 'C' Cabaret at 950 Granville Street.

   GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

        The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS the foregoing.

   COUNCIL POLICY

   Council Policy  is that on an  interim basis, no new  liquor licenses or
   amendments to existing  liquor licenses to increase  seating capacity or
   extend hours of sale be permitted in Downtown South.

   PURPOSE

   Charles Wertman is requesting a Council resolution endorsing his request
   for a Class 'C' Cabaret at 950 Granville Street.

   BACKGROUND

   In May 1992, Council established an interim liquor licensing policy that
   new licensed  seats or extension of  hours not be permitted  in Downtown
   South, pending  a  liquor license  review and  a report  back on  future
   policy for this  area.  This  review, which is  nearing completion,  has
   received considerable  publicity following  a series of  public meetings
   and discussion  of the possibility  of an  "entertainment district"  for
   Granville Street.

   Staff has received  numerous enquiries related to  new licensed premises
   for  Granville  South.    Potential  applicants  have been  informed  of
   Council's  moratorium for  this  area  and  discouraged from  making  an
   application  at this time.   Nevertheless, Mr. Wertman  has confirmed he
   wishes his  application to proceed in  anticipation of a lifting  of the
   existing moratorium.
   DISCUSSION

   This application is  for a 350-seat (5,600 sq.ft.) cabaret with live and
   recorded music.  Proposed hours of operation are 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

   The  property at 950 Granville Street  has been owned by the applicant's
   family for  25  years.   If  the application  receives  approval, a  new
   heritage-style three-story building with mezzanine plus basement will be
   constructed.  The proposed cabaret will be located in the basement.

   The subject premises are located  on the Granville Mall, and are  in the

   DD  Downtown District  (Appendix  A).    The  adjacent  portion  of  the
   Granville  Mall is developed with entertainment  uses, such as theatres,
   arcades,  retail  stores  and  restaurants.    The  closest  residential
   accommodation  is the Siesta Hotel,  located approximately 50 feet north
   of the subject premises.   The area to the south  and east is undergoing
   redevelopment to high density residential uses.

   Within the survey area  are the New Continental Hotel,  Brookland Court,
   Helmcken  House  and  the  Gresham  Hotel,  all  subsidized  residential
   facilities.

   The  closest B.C.  Government liquor  store is  located at  1120 Alberni
   Street.   Also  within the  survey area  are three  Class 'A'  Pubs (699
   seats), seven Class  'A' Lounges  (647 seats), nine  Class 'C'  Cabarets
   (2,471  seats)   and  approximately   27  licensed  restaurants.     The
   neighbourhood pub at 1108 Hamilton is approximately 2,000 feet from this
   site.

   COMMENTS

   The  Police  Department  has no  difficulty  with  the  concept of  this
   application,  but the liquor license  review process should be completed
   prior to any approval.

   The  Environmental Health  Division  has no  objection  as long  as  the
   property owner/developer can ensure that proper noise reduction measures
   are incorporated into the building and operation of the cabaret.

   The Planning Department advises that a decision which could result in an
   increase  in liquor seating should  await Council's review  of the final
   report of the Downtown South Liquor Licensing Task Force with respect to
   the creation of the Theatre Row Entertainment District.
   The Social Planning Department recommends  the moratorium on new  liquor
   seating in Downtown South be continued.

   The Housing Centre does not support this application because there is no
   rationale provided why it should be exempt from the moratorium.

   CONCLUSION

   Staff  recommend  that  the  existing Downtown  South  liquor  licensing
   moratorium  be  reaffirmed  and  this  application  not be  endorsed  by
   Council.  Approval or  putting the application on hold  could jeopardize
   future policy in the area, including the possible relocation of existing
   licensed cabarets from the adjacent residential neighbourhoods.

                                     * * *