REPORT TO COUNCIL

VANCOUVER LIQUOR LICENSING COMMISSION

March 25, 1999

A regular meeting of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission was held on Thursday March 25, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy, Chair

Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Alan Herbert

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager

ALSO PRESENT: Michael Gordon, Central Area Planning

Guy Gusdal, License Coordinator
Inspector Dave Jones, i/c District 1, Police Department
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector

CLERK: Diane M. Clairmont

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission regular meeting held February 25, 1999, were adopted as circulated.

The Committee agreed to vary the order of the agenda. The minutes have been recorded in numerical order for ease of reference.

RECOMMENDATION

1. 1601 West Georgia Street - Walt Stipic File: 2617-3

Class 'F' Marine Pub

The Commission had before it an Administrative Report dated March 4, 1999 (on file), in which the Chief License Inspector recommended Council consider an application by Walt Stipic for a 65-seat plus 20-seat patio Class `F' Marine Pub with off-premise sales endorsement at 1601 West Georgia Street.

Clause No. 1 (cont'd)

Also before the Commission was a letter (on file) dated March 24, 1999 from the applicant revising his original requests to meet staff recommendations:
i) withdrawing the request for off-premises sales
ii) accepting hours of operation as recommended by staff
iii) agreeing to limit entertainment in the pub to recorded background music only.

Guy Gusdal, License Coordinator, Property Use & Licence Division; Inspector Dave Jones, i/c District 1, Police Department and Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector spoke to the report.

Bert Hicks, Agent for the applicant, Ron Vornbrock, Interworx Interior Planning and Design Ltd, and Daphne Hampson, Westin Bayshore Hotel, made a presentation in support of the application, raising the following points::

· the site was purchased from Aoki Corporation (owner of the Westin Bayshore) and the applicant will work closely with the Westin Bayshore; the pub will be an amenity for hotel guests and noise concerns have been resolved
· the actual dock space covers 3,800 sq. ft. The pub is planned to be 7 metres high and 5,500 sq. ft. (pub on the ground level and 65-seat restaurant on the second level)
· the applicant will comply with any new LCLB regulations

During discussion, the following points were raised:

· Police Services noted that concern still exists regarding potential noise levels due to the proximity of the pub to the residential tower; however, the applicant and Westin Bayshore foresee no difficulties
· concern was expressed that use of Class "F" for this project may be a method of circumventing restrictions imposed under a "D" license . Class "F" regulates marine pubs situated in remote locations, while Class "D" regulates neighbourhood pubs. Proximity regulations and public process differ for each and as marine pubs are increasingly in core urban areas, Class "F" regulations may not be appropriate for all marine pubs
· obtaining public opinion is difficult in this area as there are very few residents nearby

The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried. Therefore, the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT Council advise the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch it endorses the application by Walt Stipic for a 65-seat plus 20-seat patio Class `F' Marine Pub at 1601 West Georgia Street having considered the majority of the area residents are in favour of granting the license, as determined through the neighbourhood notification process, recognizing that there are few residents at this time. The application was considered with regard to the proximity of existing and proposed residential

Clause No. 1 (cont'd)

developments, traffic patterns, road access and the availability of parking, possible noise impacts and the overall design and appearance of the building. It was noted that there are no public buildings or social facilities within close proximity and that this proposal is in compliance with the plan for the Coal Harbour area, subject to:
i) the hours of operation being restricted to 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, seven days a week.
ii) the patio closing at 11:00 p.m.
iii) a Time-Limited Development Permit
iv) a signed Good Neighbour Agreement prior to Business License issuance
v) written agreement which will permanently fix the seating capacity at 65 seats plus 20 patio seats and also fix the hours of operation as per the application with any changes subject to municipal approval.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Provincial Liquor Policy Review File: 2611

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector provided information regarding potential revisions to the liquor laws. There has been minimal direction and input from the Province making it difficult to analyze and provide informed opinions regarding the changes. It appears the initial objectives of simplifying rules, assisting tourism, harmonizing alcohol control within jurisdictions, assessing social and health implications are not addressed satisfactorily. While private meetings have been held with special interest groups and stakeholders, extremely limited consultation has taken place with municipalities. Key recommendations as outlined in Jo Surich's news release of March 19, 1999 (on file) do not deal with hours of operation, increased seating, relationship with municipalities and Liquor Control Licensing Branch, enforcement and variables relating to off-premise sales and other issues. No White Paper has been released to help clarify these matters. While there are positive aspects to the potential changes, clarification is essential. One-half day public meetings are scheduled for April 29 and April 30th in Vancouver.

Cllr. Lynne Kennedy advised similar concerns exist in other municipalities. She referred to a conversation with the Mayor of Merritt, Clara Norgaard and letters authored by Mayor P.A. John Ranta, UBCM President, and Neighbourhood Pub Owners' Association.

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector advised a report will be prepared for April 13, 1999 Council meeting. Subsequent to this report and upon receipt of further information from the Province and the regulatory body, each issue will be analyzed separately, areas of concern noted, and a response prepared that the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission can take to the April 29/30 public meetings. Recommendations passed by Council in January should also be considered. Issues around ginseng brandy and rice wine are being considered separately.

Clause No. 2 (cont'd)

The following motion by Cllr. Don Bellamy was put and carried. Therefore, the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission receive for information the verbal report as presented by Paul Tecihroeb, Chief License Inspector.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Commodore Ballroom File: 2614-6

Bert Hick, representative for Universal Concerts et al, reviewed the status of this project; details are outlined in a March 25, 1999 letter (on file) from Dennis Coates, agent for Commodore Entertainment Inc.

The following motion by Cllr. Don Bellamy was put and carried. Therefore, the Commission

RECOMMENDED

THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission send a letter to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch stating support for the redevelopment of the Commodore ballroom.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, was requested to draft the letter for review by the Chair.

The Commission adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver