Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Chief License Inspector in consultation with the
Director of Community Services, Social Planning, and the
Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

Liquor License Review for the West End and CBD

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

· There is no comprehensive Council liquor license policy for the West End and the Central Business District (CBD). To date applications in these areas have been assessed on a case by case basis using established Council policy and practices which are described as follows:

· On July 11, 1996, City Council approved a series of recommendations on the Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy that included the following:

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

This report recommends the adoption of a planning process, resources and budget for a review of the municipal liquor licensing policy for the West End (the area bounded by Burrard, Davie, Denman and Robson Streets) and the Central Business District (roughly bounded by Alberni, Seymour, and Bute Streets and the Burrard Inlet). The proposed time line is to conduct the West End review first, and then follow with the CBD review. The process involved for both reviews, includes a community and stakeholders consultation component and the formulation of policy recommendations.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

There has never been a specific liquor license policy for the West End or Central Business District. Existing city wide policy has been used to date to evaluate liquor license applications on a case by case basis.

The dynamics of both the West End and the Central Business District are such that the needs of the community, residents and businesses, are compromised through the application of global liquor policy that is generally more suited to suburban areas, like Kerrisdale, Marpole or Fraserview.

It is important to point out that the City already has a specific policy for the adjacent area of Granville Street. Also, it is imperative that the policy developed for the West End and Central Business District be compatible and sensitive to the issues, directives and goals of the Granville Entertainment “Theatre Row”.

I. West End Review

On October 5th, 1999 City Council endorsed a recommendation of the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission to postpone a decision on a request for a Neighbourhood Pub application on the 1200 Block of Thurlow Street until a planning policy review of licensed seats in the area bordered by Davie, Denman, Robson and Burrard Street has been conducted.

It was Council’s stated intention that the product of the review be a comprehensive liquor licensing policy for the West End.

This policy will be used by City staff and the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission to evaluate proposals for new licensed establishments or amendments to existing liquor licenses in these areas. Similarly, this policy will provide guidelines and terms of references for future applicants and for the community at large.

The Province is continuing with its review of liquor regulations. Some new regulations have already been adopted, and new ones may be implemented in the near future. City staff is fully involved in this process (mostly through the UBCM), and any changes to provincial regulations that may affect the proposed review for the West End will have to be considered in this process. It is already evident that some provincial changes, such as two classes of liquor license, increased enforcement and the consideration of smaller facilities, will affect City policy.

The proposed review will deal with a variety of issues, including:

Hours of operation

Depending on the type of Liquor License, hours of operation for facilities in the West End, and particularly closing hours, differ from one type of facility to another. Most facilities close between 12:00 midnight and 1:00 am, but some Lounges and Cabarets are allowed to remain open until 2:00 am (See Appendix A).

As part of the Provincial Liquor Review, licensed establishment operators are requesting extended hours of operations (up to 14 hrs a day), with closing hours at 4:00am. Hours of operations is one of the key elements to analyse in this proposed review, as patrons dispersal may potentially have negative community impacts.

Seating capacity

The seating capacity of Bars, Pubs and Cabarets for the study area is outlined in Appendix A. We have summarized the information, as follows:

Note: There are significant pockets of concentration of liquor licensed facilities and seats in each of these areas, such as on the 1000 block of Davie Street. A map for all facilities is provided on Appendix B.

There are a large number of liquor seats concentrated in the whole of the Downtown, in areas such as Downtown South, Granville Street, Yaletown, Robson Street (East of Howe), CBD,

Victory Square, Gastown and Plaza of Nations (more than 20,000 seats for all areas). A great number of these seats however, fulfill a city-wide and regional need. The liquor seats in the study area of the West End, for the most part fulfill a local need/demand, but also cater to a wider regional clientele. This is particularly true for the Davie Street facilities. One of the questions to be answered, is whether this particular area (Davie Street) can accommodate more facilities (there is at least one application on file). A parallel issue relates to what kind of mix of facilities is anticipated.

Density of licenses (and seats)

The review may have to consider, in some areas, the possibility of accommodating smaller type of facilities (under 65 seats). Council already recognized this as an issue in the 1996 review of liquor licensing for the Downtown, when it suggested that the City enter into discussions with the Province to establish a new license category for smaller drinking establishments. In any event, new facilities could be linked to a time-limited Development Permit (ie. 2 years).

Entertainment

The concentration of liquor seats and their potential impact on surrounding residences is closely linked to the type of entertainment provided in the establishments. Relevant questions to this issue are the appropriate size of a facility for certain types of entertainment and the suitability of such a facility in the community.

Social clubs and licensing issues

The City did have an application for a Social Club in the West End area, but it was later withdrawn. Social Clubs are not supposed to be open to the general public, but potentially, they could operate as a pseudo-Cabaret. Social Clubs (Class “A” Lounge) however, are subject to legal agreements and could also entail a time-limited Development Permit.

Referendum and public consultation

City staff are in the process of reviewing the referendum and consultation mechanisms as they relate to Liquor Licensing. A Council report is expected soon.

Enforcement

There have not been significant enforcement issues identified with the study area to date. The consultation process will have to assess the veracity of this. Typically, enforcement complaints relate to issues such as overcrowding, noise and some policing, (e.g. fights, vandalism, nuisance complaints, etc.).

Consultation Process and Time Frame

It is proposed that the West End consultation process start in January 2000 with a report back to Council early in the Spring.

This consultation will be carried out by City staff with the help of a consultant, familiar with the issues and dynamics of the West End.

The tasks involved will include the following:

The public process will entail a number of Focus Groups at different stages of the consultation, and some Public Open Houses.

The product of the consultation process will be the presentation of different options, an impact evaluation, recommendations, submission of a report and a decision on a comprehensive policy for liquor licensing in the West End.

The anticipated extra costs in the West End review will be $25,500 with the following components:

If Council approves this work, funding will be provided as part of the 2000 Operating Budget.

II. The Central Business District

Considering that Council has already requested the development of policy on the entertainment uses for the Central Business District, it is proposed that the second phase of this review deal with the development of a comprehensive liquor licensing policy for the CBD (the area bounded by Alberni, Seymour, Bute Street and the Burrard Inlet).

This review will provide among other things, the opportunity to look at the entertainment venues that serve liquor (existing and potential) an non-alcohol Dance Halls in the CBD. There are 3,303 liquor seats in the CBD. For a detailed breakdown of facilities see Appendix C and D.

Some significant changes in areas adjacent to the CBD, like the Coal Harbour Development and the potential development of a Convention Centre besides Canada Place, make this review even more relevant and timely.

The CBD review will be modelled after the West End review, understanding however that there are significant differences between the two neighbourhoods. The residential component for example, is not as significant in the CBD. It is proposed that the CBD consultation process start immediately after the West End review has been finalized, with an anticipated report back to Council late in the Spring of 2000.

The anticipated extra costs in the CBD review will be $15,000 with the following components:

If Council approves this work, funding will be provided as part of the 2000 Operating Budget.

CONCLUSION

The process recommended will allow for a planning process, resources and budget for a review of the municipal liquor licensing policy for the West End (the area bounded by Burrard, Davie, Denman and Robson Streets). It also anticipates a similar process for the Central Business District (roughly bounded by Alberni, Seymour, Bute Street and the Burrard Inlet). The outcome of the proposed consultation process involved in this review will eventually provide Council with policy options and a course of action as well as provide the industry and the community at large with clear guidelines and terms of reference.

- - - - -

WEST END LIQUOR LICENSED FACILITIES

ADDRESS

ESTABLISHMENT NAME

LICENSE TYPE

# OF SEATS

HOURS OF

         

OPERATION

845 Burrard St

Sutton Place Hotel

Lounge

195

 

11:30 am to 1:30 am

1088 Burrard St

Wall Centre Garden Hotel

Lounge

45

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

1100 Burrard St

Burrard Motor Inn

Lounge

85

 

11:00 am to 12:00 am

1015 Burrard St

Century Plaza Hotel

Pub/Lounge

463

 

12:00 n to 2:00 am

1022 Davie St

Celebrities (Vancouver)

Cabaret

350

 

7:00 pm to 2:00 am

1042 Davie St

Numbers

Cabaret

195

 

7:00 pm to 2:00 am

1160 Davie St

Parkhill Hotel

Lounge

46

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

1025 Davie St

Fountainhead Pub *not open yet

Neighbourhood Pub

65

 

??

1755 Davie St

Sands Motor Hotel

Lounge

177

 

12:00 n to 2:00 am

1733 Comox St

Coast Plaza at Stanley Park

Lounge

180

 

12:00 n to 2:00 am

860 Denman St

Denman Station

Cabaret

82

 

7:00 pm to 2:00 am

961 Denman St

Dover Arms

Neighbourhood Pub

99

 

10:00 am to 12:00 am

1225 Robson St

Blue Horizon Hotel

Pub/Lounge

404

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

1277 Robson St

Pacific Palisades Hotel

Lounge

64

 

11:30 am to 1:30 am

1300 Robson St

O'Doul's Hotel

Lounge

38

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

1348 Robson St

Barclay Hotel

Lounge

100

 

11:30 am to 1:30 am

1400 Robson St

Empire Landmark Hotel

Pub/Lounge

325

 

11:30 am to 1:30 am

           
   

Total

2913

   

MAP OF WEST END LIQUOR LICENSED FACILITIES

APPENDIX C

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT LICENSED FACILITIES

ADDRESS

ESTABLISHMENT NAME

LICENSE TYPE

# OF SEATS

HOURS OF
OPERATIONS

550 W Hastings St

Delta Hotel

"A" Lounge

50

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

620 W Pender St

Piccadilly Hotel

"A" Pub

125

 

10:00 am to 12:00 mn

602 Dunsmuir St

St. Regis Hotel

"A" Pub

177

 

9:00 am to 11:00 pm

602 Dunsmuir St

St. Regis Hotel

"A" Lounge

157

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

515 Seymour St

Clarence Hotel

"A" Pub

120

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

828 W Hastings St

Jolly Taxpayer

"A" Pub

177

 

10:00 am to 12:00 mn

921 W Pender St

Days Inn Vancouver

"A" Pub

220

 

10:00 am to 12:00 mn

921 W Pender St

Days Inn Vancouver

"A" Lounge

85

 

10:00 am to 12:00 mn

801 W Georgia St

Hotel Georgia

"A" Lounge

345

 

11:00 am to 1:30 am

801 W Georgia St

Hotel Georgia

"A" Lounge

40

 

10:00 am to 12:00 mn

595 Hornby St

Club Millennium

Cabaret

199

 

7:00 pm to 2:00 am

655 Burrard St

Hyatt Regency Hotel

"A" Lounge

285

 

11:30 am to 1:30 am

791 W Georgia St

Four Seasons Hotel

"A" Lounge

140

 

12:00 n to 1:00 am

900 W Georgia St

Hotel Vancouver

"A" Lounge

336

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

645 Howe St

Metropolitan Hotel

"A" Lounge

65

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

999 Canada Place

Pan Pacific Hotel

"A" Lounge

219

 

11:30 am to 1:30 am

900 Canada Place

Waterfront Centre Hotel

"A" Lounge

95

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

#350 - 1050 Alberni St

Tokyo Lounge

Cabaret

112

 

7:00 pm to 2:00 am

888 W Cordova St

Terminal City Club

"A" Pub

125

 

11:00 am to 1:00 am

1133 W Hastings St

Vancouver Renaissance Hotel

"A" Lounge

231

 

11:30 am to 1:30 am

           
   

Total

3303

   

APPENDIX D

MAP OF CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT LICENSED FACILITIES


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