The City of Powell River has decided not to weigh in on a liquor licence application for a non-profit community group.
Councillor Trina Isakson summed it up during a July 2 council meeting saying the corporation should “basically, get out the way” when it comes to the process.
The qathet Francophone Association, a non-profit, at 5110 Manson Avenue has a dining and reception hall and wants to provide booze during fundraising events.
Planning Director Jason Gow says the organization has regularly had special event permits in the past and there are no noise complaints on record.
But Councillor Earl Almeida talked to one of the neighbours.
“They had actually shared that they had called the RCMP on a couple of occasions so I’m actually a little surprised the RCMP has different data,” Almeida said.
A staff report says the nearest neighbour is 32 meters (105 feet) away with other homes and buildings “well beyond this distance.”
Acting Mayor Cindy Elliott didn’t want to saddle the group with more costs. The group already paid $400 to have council consider the liquor control board referral and would have to pay an additional $1,600 if the city did a public engagement process.
“I think the liquor board of B.C. is fully capable of determining whether there should be some consultation or not. The letter of intent from the French club indicates that their intention is to maintain they’re community special projects and gatherings and the things that they normally do and liquor serving would be definitely secondary to their primary purpose so their not turning themselves into a bar,” Elliott said.
In the letter of intent, the group has also promised to have end-times of 10 p.m. for events and to enforce strict identification checks since there will be minors on the premises for family-friendly events.
With the city opting for the sidelines, it will be up to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch whether it consults the public.
