Staff Report: Extension of Licensed Area – Western Speedway, 2207 Millstream Road (LLP19-0002)

Background

Western Speedway has applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (formerly known as the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch) for an expansion of their licensed area to allow their overall service area to increase from a capacity of 1,004 patrons to a total of 2,219 patrons – an increase of 1,215.

When new Liquor Primary Licenses are applied for or when changes are made to existing Liquor Primary Licenses, the Local Government is required to choose whether or not they would like to opt in or out of notifying the community surrounding the licensed premise. If the City would like to make any comments they must opt into notification. If they do not wish to notify, they are not permitted to submit comments or state whether or not they are in favour of approval. If the City opts out of the notification process, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch will complete notification on their own.

If the Local Government decides to opt in, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch has certain requirements on what must be considered. The City must take into account the location of the establishment as well as the person capacity and hours of liquor sale. The resolution must also specifically speak to the following:

• The impact of noise on nearby residents
• The impact on the community if the application is approved
• The view of residents and a description of the method used to gather views
• The Local Government recommendations (including whether or not the application be approved) and the reasons on which they are based

If Council chooses to notify, Staff will complete a second staff report summarizing any responses received. The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch requires local governments to provide their resolution and comments within 90 days if they choose to opt into providing comments and completing notification.

Commentary

Western Speedway is applying to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to expand their consumption areas to an additional grandstand (615 seats) and to the concourse below the grandstands where the concession and retail stores are located (standing room for 600). The Speedway has noted that they have continuously received feedback from patrons that they wished for a greater seating capacity in the stands. Currently about one quarter of the grandstands are licensed, and the proposed change would bring that up to about one half. This change would still leave half of the grandstands unlicensed for families or other patrons to enjoy should they wish to be in an alcohol-free zone. They are also looking to expand the licensed areas to the concourse below the grandstands to allow greater flexibility for some of their larger events such as the Automotive Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony which solely occurs in the concourse area. This would also allow patrons to consume their drinks while waiting in line for food.

The hours of sale are not proposed to change. The existing hours are the following:

Western Speedway has also noted that they have been a licensed establishment for nearly 10 years with a positive track record. They have dedicated security overseeing all licensed areas where alcohol is served and consumed and all patrons are required to wear a wristband verifying that they are of legal drinking age. This helps to assist servers in ensuring the clientele have had their ID checked.

The Bylaw Department has been consulted and they have stated that they have no concerns with the proposed changes. Given this, Council may find it appropriate to opt out of the public notification process in this instance.

Alternatively, if Council would like to participate in public notification, they may choose to do so in a style similar to a Development Variance Permit which is what has been done for past liquor license applications. Notifying in a manner similar to Development Variance Permits would require mail-outs to be sent to all property owners and occupants within a 30 meter radius of the subject property.

Options

That Council:

1. Inform the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch that the City of Langford will opt out of public notification for the expansion of licensed areas of the existing Liquor Primary License for Western Speedway located at 2207 Millstream Road;

OR

2. Inform the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch that the City of Langford will conduct public notification;

And

3. Direct Staff to notify all property owners and occupants within a 30 meter radius of the subject property.

Respectfully submitted,

Submitted by:
Julia Buckingham, Planner I

Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning
Concurrence:
Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief
Concurrence:
Lorne Fletcher, Manager of Community Safety and Municipal Enforcement
Concurrence:
Adriana Proton, Manager of Legislative Services
Concurrence:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering
Concurrence:
Leah Stohmann, MCIP, RPP, Deputy Director of Planning
Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
Concurrence:
Braden Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services
Concurrence:
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

:jb

Appendix A – Location Map

Appendix B - Site Map