琉璃神社 city staff have to re-draft proposed changes to the city鈥檚 liquor policies after the initial proposal failed to get the support of council.
One point of contention was the removal of a 500 metre buffer between major liquor establishments in the current policy. There is no restriction in the downtown urban core under the new, proposed policy.
鈥淲ith this policy recommendation from staff we鈥檙e abandoning that and saying no, if you want to have four liquor primary nightclubs on one block that鈥檚 fine,鈥� Councillor Luke Stack said.
He pointed out the city has been trying to attract people to live in the downtown for years, and hundreds of new residents are moving in.
鈥淚n my mind this current policy鈥ith the 500 m. separation is probably going to be more important than ever.鈥�
City Manager Doug Gilchrist said a more thoughtful evaluation is likely more appropriate rather than a hard line.
鈥淚f the 500 m. separation gives council some level of comfort, it鈥檚 been there in the past, that you would like to see in the policy, this is your policy.鈥�
Coun. Rick Webber raised concerns about patio closing times under the proposed changes.
鈥淚 know there are some neighbourhoods where we saw 11 p.m. as a good idea because there are residents nearby,鈥� he pointed out. 鈥淏ut there are other areas in town where it wouldn鈥檛 matter if they stay open another hour.鈥�
The recommended changes limit closing times to 2 a.m., and outdoor patios at 11 p.m. in the downtown, and establishments outside the area to close at 12 a.m.
The new policy also restricts establishments to no more than 500 people. Another proposed change is that larger capacity may be permitted if hours of operations do not extend beyond 12 a.m. Staff recommend limiting capacities outside of the downtown to no more than 250 people.
Mayor Tom Days spoke in favour of the proposed changes noting the last review was completed in 2010.
鈥淚 believe it鈥檚 important that we look at this and everything that was said today comes back before us.鈥�
The proposed changes did not make it to a vote as the motion to accept the new policy was not seconded by any councillor. Staff will consider council鈥檚 recommendations, make changes and bring the policy back in the next few weeks.
