Victoria council has supported an application by the Strathcona Hotel to increase the number of liquor-primary seats on its rooftop patio to 300.
Council voted 7-2 in favour of the application.
The change will not affect the number of people that can be on the rooftop; it will just change how those patrons make use of the space.
Currently, the rooftop has the capacity for 300 people, but 117 of those seats are in a food-primary zone, meaning those patrons have to order a meal with their drinks. A liquor-primary licence would mean the primary purpose of the space is to serve drinks.
While the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulations Branch issues liquor licences and determines the category of licence appropriate for the business, all liquor-primary licence applications are referred to local government.
According to a city staff report that recommended approval, the site is appropriately zoned for the use and is consistent with current city policy. The report also noted the city’s bylaw department does not expect any change in the number of noise complaints received as a result of the change, and VicPD does not anticipate any greater impact on downtown than what happens under the current licence.
Councillors Marg Gardiner and Stephen Hammond were the only votes against the proposal.
Gardiner said her concern was about the noise level and the fact the hotel is right across the street from a residential tower.
“That noise level [60-70 decibels] is too high. The city should look at that and decide what to do about it, because it is our responsibility to make sure that the city is livable for all of us,” she said.
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