Staff Report: Elements Casino Liquor License Referral
A report regarding an application from Elements Casino to extend their liquor service hours.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL Council Report
TO: Council DATE: June 16, 2022 FROM: L. Chase, RPP, MCIP, Director of Development Services MEETING DATE: June 21, 2022
Elements Casino Liquor License Referral
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council opt out of Liquor Control and Licensing Branch’s request for a resolution commenting on the application to amend the liquor license at the Elements Casino Victoria at 1708 Island Highway.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
An application from Elements Casino to amend their hours of liquor service has been referred to the Town.
The current hours of service are:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Closed | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 |
The proposed hours of service are:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Closed | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 | 02:00 |
The Casino has provided the following statement in support of their application:
Expansion of liquor service hours beginning at 10am, will align closer to new opening hours of 9am. The extension of liquor service hours will allow the casino to provide a full range of services in response to guest demand.
The provincial process to amend a liquor license includes a referral to the local government. The local government then has the option of running a public engagement process, or opting out of commenting on the application in which case the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch then proceeds with public engagement.
If Council wishes to provide comment, the following items must be addressed: a. The potential for noise b. The impact on the community c. If nearby residents may be affected, the views of the residents must be gathered and the following must be provided: i. The views of the residents (includes business owners) ii. The method used to gather the views of the residents iii. Council comments and recommendations respecting the views of the residents d. Council resolution recommending whether the application should be approved
To address the items, staff would prepare a report on the potential for noise and impact on the community for Council’s consideration. Notification of the Council meeting would be made to residents and business owners to gather their views. It should be noted that there is no bylaw or administrative policy for a set notification area.
There is no bylaw or policy obliging the Town to comment on every liquor license application. It is staff’s opinion that providing no comment in this case would not preclude the option to provide comment on future applications. The province does not share the application fees they collect with the Town to facilitate the process on their behalf. The Town would be responsible for any costs incurred.
In consideration that the use is consistent with the zoning, and that the use is contained within a building at some distance from any residential uses, staff do not recommend that that Town undertakes any process with respect to this application. Staff recommend that Council opts out of commenting on the application.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council opt out of Liquor Control and Licensing Branch’s request for a resolution commenting on the application to amend the liquor license at the Elements Casino Victoria at 1708 Island Highway.
SUBMITTED BY: L. Chase, Director of Development Services
REVIEWED BY: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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