CHANGES TO BC LIQUOR LICENSING ON APRIL 1, 2015
Overview of upcoming changes to provincial liquor laws, specifically regarding sales in grocery stores.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: March 3, 2015 FROM: James Davison MCIP RPP, Planner MEETING DATE: March 10, 2015
CHANGES TO BC LIQUOR LICENSING ON APRIL 1, 2015
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Committee receive this report for information.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES' COMMENTS
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT
To present Committee with information relating to changes being made to liquor licensing by the BC Government. This report will provide a brief overview to determine whether Committee/Council wishes to make further inquiry into policy or regulatory changes regarding licensed establishments in the Town to take advantage of the new legislation.
BACKGROUND
On April 1, 2015, new liquor licensing laws take effect in the Province of BC. The changes to the liquor laws are designed to bring them into a contemporary context to benefit producers and consumers alike. The changes will have an impact to View Royal retailers; the biggest change anticipated by consumers is the possibility of buying liquor in grocery stores.
Staff has confirmed that the Province will defer to municipal regulation. If change is desired at the local level, it will be up to municipalities to change any regulation which may prohibit initiatives under the new legislation from being implemented. This may include operational hours, licensed retail store uses, and other considerations.
ISSUES AND ANALYSIS
While there are many changes which may affect establishments in View Royal, the largest identified issue for Committee and Council to consider is the inclusion of sales liquor within grocery stores. The new regulations will permit sales of liquor in stores of at least 10,000 sq. ft. in size. Big box stores will not be eligible, as another stipulation is that 75% of the sales must come from food.
The updated laws will retain the currently existing licensing requirement of a 1000m separation of liquor stores. Grocery stores will be exempt from the 1000m rule if they sell only BC wine. If the store plans to sell more than BC wine, the 1000m rule applies.
View Royal Context
View Royal currently has two sites with potentially applicable grocery stores – Thrifty’s at Admirals Walk, and the future Quality Foods at Eagle Creek Village. While the new legislation would prohibit a full liquor store at Thrifty’s in Admirals Walk, the zoning on both sites is more restrictive and prevents the sale of liquor outside of a stand-alone licensed retail store. If these sites are to benefit from the new legislation, Council would have to consider relaxing the zoning.
CONCLUSION
As far as licensed retail sales in grocery stores, it is staff's opinion that liquor in grocery stores will still be handcuffed by market and provincial regulatory forces after April 1, 2015, such that the Town will not be faced with the issue immediately. Nevertheless, if Committee/Council wishes to see liquor sales within grocery stores in the future, zoning amendments to allow it must take place in the CD-1 and CD-20 zones.
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Committee receive this report for information.
SUBMITTED BY James Davison MCIP RPP, Planner
REVIEWED BY Lindsay Chase, MCIP RPP, Director of Development Services
Document Images
(2)
