The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried. Phase One of the implementation plan would be limited to the area bounded on the north by West Georgia Street, the west by Thurlow Street and the south and east by False Creek. There are presently 18 cabarets operating in this area and three cabarets which have been approved or approved in principal in the Theatre Row Entertainment District. There are approximately ten cabarets located in the Phase Two area. A public process would be required prior to implementation in the second area, as there is a significant nearby residential component, particularly in Gastown and the West End.
Staff support the extension of the tolerance period on a limited basis.
Allowing an additional thirty minutes for customers to disperse from cabarets, once alcohol service has ceased, will result in fewer people emptying onto the streets at the same time and likely a reduction in public disturbances. Guy Gusdal, License Coordinator, briefly reviewed the details of the Administrative report. Vance Campbell, Barwatch, spoke in favour of the proposed extension of closing tolerance period but asked the Commission to reconsider the proposed time frame for expansion to other areas. Mr Campbell suggested a public process for the Phase Two area be initiated immediately, with the objective of implementing the Phase Two area within 90 days of the Phase One implementation. Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, advised the timing of the implementation for the Phase Two area could be flexible, but emphasized the need to gain some experience in Phase One, before initiating a public process for the Phase Two area.