Kelowna city staff have to re-draft proposed changes to the city91裸聊视频檚 liquor policies after the initial proposal failed to get the support of council.
One point of contention was the removal of a 500 metre buffer between major liquor establishments in the current policy. There is no restriction in the downtown urban core under the new, proposed policy.
91裸聊视频淲ith this policy recommendation from staff we91裸聊视频檙e abandoning that and saying no, if you want to have four liquor primary nightclubs on one block that91裸聊视频檚 fine,91裸聊视频 Councillor Luke Stack said.
He pointed out the city has been trying to attract people to live in the downtown for years, and hundreds of new residents are moving in.
91裸聊视频淚n my mind this current policy91裸聊视频ith the 500 m. separation is probably going to be more important than ever.91裸聊视频
City Manager Doug Gilchrist said a more thoughtful evaluation is likely more appropriate rather than a hard line.
91裸聊视频淚f the 500 m. separation gives council some level of comfort, it91裸聊视频檚 been there in the past, that you would like to see in the policy, this is your policy.91裸聊视频
Coun. Rick Webber raised concerns about patio closing times under the proposed changes.
91裸聊视频淚 know there are some neighbourhoods where we saw 11 p.m. as a good idea because there are residents nearby,91裸聊视频 he pointed out. 91裸聊视频淏ut there are other areas in town where it wouldn91裸聊视频檛 matter if they stay open another hour.91裸聊视频
The recommended changes limit closing times to 2 a.m., and outdoor patios at 11 p.m. in the downtown, and establishments outside the area to close at 12 a.m.
The new policy also restricts establishments to no more than 500 people. Another proposed change is that larger capacity may be permitted if hours of operations do not extend beyond 12 a.m. Staff recommend limiting capacities outside of the downtown to no more than 250 people.
Mayor Tom Days spoke in favour of the proposed changes noting the last review was completed in 2010.
91裸聊视频淚 believe it91裸聊视频檚 important that we look at this and everything that was said today comes back before us.91裸聊视频
The proposed changes did not make it to a vote as the motion to accept the new policy was not seconded by any councillor. Staff will consider council91裸聊视频檚 recommendations, make changes and bring the policy back in the next few weeks.