Sober rethink of booze rules

A dramatic shift in Kelowna’s liquor scene over the past decade has prompted staff to propose an overhaul of the city’s liquor bylaws.

Those changes—focusing on hours, capacity and location—will be presented to city council for discussion Monday.

“Kelowna’s liquor scene has evolved from a handful of night clubs to a tourist and economic driver,” staff state in their report to council.

“The city has seen a significant upswing in local manufacturing operations and liquor primary establishments to allow for a diversity of entertainment.

“With the evolution of these types of establishments coming to the city, an updated policy was needed to guide how these applications are processed, and the regulations liquor establishments must adhere to.”

Staff say the present policy, last updated in 2010, does not adequately address the broader range of liquor establishments within the city.

Over the past four years, staff says 36 liquor applications have come before council with just over half being consistent with existing policy.

A majority of those that did not comply was due to locations exceeding 100 people while not being located within a village or urban centre.

In order to reflect the current climate, staff are proposing several changes to its policy.

It includes a new map with reference to a “Central Area,” outlining different regulations for establishments inside and outside the boundary.

The new policy would impose closing time limits of 2 a.m. while requiring patios to close by 11 p.m. for liquor establishments inside the central area and midnight for those outside.

These hours would be imposed despite the fact the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch permits establishments to stay open until 4 a.m.

While current capacity is restricted to no more than 500 patrons, a policy change would allow for larger establishments if hours of operation do not extend beyond midnight. Staff are also proposing to limit capacity to liquor establishments outside the central area to 250.

Staff are also proposing no separation between businesses be required within the downtown urban centre and a 250 metre separation for those outside the downtown area when capacities exceed 500.

Other changes around temporary liquor licence changes and notification requirements are also being proposed.