The owner wishes to off- set the upgrading costs by increasing the seating in the Roxy. The applicant has offered to guarantee rental of the rooms in the Siesta Hotel at an affordable rent for people on social assistance, on a monthly basis, for 10 years. The Police, Planning and Social Planning Departments support the application. Environmental Health notes there will be still sound problems on the second floor. The Manager of the Housing Centre notes the proposal is a very important step, in that the City and a private owner are working together to retain SRO units.
Staff recommend a housing agreement be registered on the title.
In general, staff support the application and feel an exemption from the moratorium can be justified in return for securing affordable housing in the area. Mr. Nathan Edelson, Planner, advised the application was raised with the members of the Downtown South Liquor Licensing Task Force. The Task Force did not want to comment at this time, but did not object to the application originally. Mr. Edelson was prepared to support the application because the increase in seating request was raised prior to the establishment of the moratorium in the area. Responding to a question on the maximum number of seats, Mr. Teichroeb explained the Fire Commissioner has calculated the maximum occupant load at 287.