SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2

VLLC AGENDA

NOVEMBER 13, 1997

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: October 21, 1997

File: B-100, 750 Pacific Blvd.

CC File: 2616-3

TO: Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission

FROM: Chief License Inspector

SUBJECT: B-100, 750 Pacific Boulevard, Plaza of Nations/B.C. Enterprise Centre

Class 'E' Convention Centre Liquor License

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission endorse the request from Canadian Metropolitan Properties Corp., for a Class 'E' Convention Centre liquor license at the Plaza of Nations/B.C. Enterprise Centre, B-100, 750 Pacific Boulevard, having considered the opinion of the area residents and business operators as determined through the neighbourhood notification process.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

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

COUNCIL POLICY

Council Policy requires that new liquor license applications and amendments to existing licenses be subject to a referendum prior to receiving final consideration if the premises are located in close proximity to residential accommodation.

PURPOSE

Canadian Metropolitan Properties Corp., is requesting a City Council resolution endorsing its request for a Class 'E' Convention Centre liquor license at the Plaza of Nations/B.C. Enterprise Centre, B-100, 750 Pacific Boulevard.

BACKGROUND

The Plaza of Nations and B.C. Enterprise Centre were built as part of the B.C. Pavilion complex for Expo 86. This and other property were sold by the Provincial Government to Canadian Metropolitan Properties Corporation, who is still responsible for management of the facilities.

The Plaza of Nations and B.C. Enterprise Center provide facilities for banquets, receptions, trade shows, conventions, meetings and a variety of other special events. Service of liquor has been achieved by extensions to the Class 'B' Restaurant licenses or Special Occasion Licenses, but these have significant limitations.

Liquor will be sold as part of a banquet, meal function or separately at a reception. The applicant proposes to licence the outdoor patio areas, and portable bars will be used from time-to-time at the Plaza of Nations for such things as outdoor receptions prior to banquets. The overall capacity including the patio is 5,230.

In July 1995, the Liquor Control and Licensing Act was amended to permit the appropriate licensing of stadiums and conventions centres. The regulations permit liquor sales between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. However, liquor service will be restricted to sale around specific events.

The subject premises are located in the BCPED zoning district. G.M. Place, B.C. Place complex and Expo Lands are within close proximity. The surrounding area is a mixture of retail, offices and residential apartments, although the existing residential buildings are located a significant distance from these premises.

COMMENTS

The Police Department has experienced problems in the past with enforcement related to events at this location. The temporary Special Occasion Licenses have been issued to various individuals and groups, sometimes making it difficult to determine who is in charge of a specific event.

A permanent liquor license will place the onus clearly on the license holder for all events and should help to address any concerns related to liquor service, security and neighbourhood impacts.

The Planning Department has reviewed this application and notes "that this site is located in a Comprehensive Development District, 750 Pacific Boulevard, Plaza of Nations (CD-1 By-law Number 7592).

This CD-1 By-law was enacted by City Council on July 9, 1996, and is considered a 'temporary' rezoning that was enacted specifically to permit a Family Sports and Entertainment Centre to be located in an area of the existing Plaza complex (DE217775).

An 'overall' rezoning of the Plaza of Nations site was approved 'in principle' by City Council in May of 1995. However, enactment has been delayed, pending resolution of outstanding conditions.

In the meantime, the present CD-1 By-law permits only the Family Sports and Entertainment Center as a 'permanent' use and all other uses are considered 'interim' uses only.

Development Permit Application DE400186 is currently pending in anticipation of 'overall' rezoning being enacted. This Development Permit, when issued, will include approval of all of the existing occupancies in the Plaza of Nations that fit into the uses considered appropriate for this site, but which have never received formal approval.

The area indicated in this liquor application fits into this category of never having received formal approval. 'Hall' is a use that is included in the list of approvable uses in the 'overall' rezoning. However, until this rezoning is enacted and DE400186 is issued, any formal approval of this use would require a separate development permit application, and should approval be granted, it would be considered an 'interim' use only, in accordance with the present zoning of the site."

The Environmental Health Division of the Health Board has no concerns as long as the applicant meets all Health Bylaw requirements with regards to food services and smoking requirements.

The Social Planning Department and Housing Centre have no comments.

CONCLUSION

This application is supported by the Chief License Inspector as no additional impacts are anticipated as a result of these facilities being licensed under a Class E Convention Centre liquor license. A permanent license may in fact improve the overall situation by placing the responsibility for all events on the license holder. The change will enable the applicant to improve the flexibility of space utilization and accommodate a wider variety of events.

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(c) 1997 City of Vancouver