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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-11-087 - Decision of Licensing Tribunal - Lucky's WingsREPORT TO: Mayor C. Zehr and Members of Council DATE OF MEETING: April 18, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: Licensing Tribunal PREPARED BY: Colin Goodeve, Committee Administrator (519) 741-2278 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: April 7, 2011 REPORT NO.: FCS-11-087 SUBJECT: DECISION OF LICENSING TRIBUNAL - LUCKY’S WINGS RECOMMENDATION: That the decision of the Licensing Tribunal, attached to Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-11-087, on the matter of the Class ‘A’ Place of Refreshment Business License No. 810786 issued to Justin Novak for the operation of Lucky’s Wings, 320 King Street West, be adopted. BACKGROUND: On January 24, 2011, Council ordered a licensing tribunal hearing concerning the application from Lucky’s Wings, 320 King Street West for a 2011 Class ‘A’ Place of Refreshment Business License to ascertain whether the establishment has been operating in compliance with Chapter 584 (Place of Refreshment) of the Municipal Code. Chapter 584 licences places of refreshment including restaurants and bars. There are provisions in the Chapter that allows Council to hold a hearing should a licensee contravene federal, provincial or local laws; which includes the City’s noise by-law. The Municipal Act requires that in considering the suspension, revocation of and/or imposing conditions on a business license, the municipality shall exercise its discretion upon the grounds that the conduct of any person, including the officers, directors, employees or agents of the business, affords reasonable cause to believe that the person will not carry on or engage in the business in accordance with the law or with honesty and integrity. REPORT: On April 4, 2011, the Licensing Tribunal considered an agreed statement of facts as well as a joint submission with regards to a penalty in this matter from Ms. Jennifer Sheryer, on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener and Mr. Brian Kelly, on behalf of the licensee. The agreed statement of facts showed that over the past year Waterloo Regional Police and the City’s By-law Enforcement staff had attended Lucky’s Wings on several occasions concerning noise complaints, liquor licence infractions and operating after hours. In coming to a decision, the Tribunal weighted the rights of the licensee to operate a successful business, but considered the incidents, which occurred from March through to December 2010, as serious. Further, the Tribunal cited the expectation that all licensees are to operate their ì ó ï businesses in a manner that complies with all municipal, provincial and federal regulations and legislation as well as being respectful of the surrounding neighbourhood. To this, the Tribunal believes that the joint submission with regards to a penalty in this matter represents a fair and balanced approach both to the rights of the licensee and ensuring future compliance with Chapter 584. In accordance with the Municipal Act, all decisions of the Licensing Tribunal must be ratified by Council before taking effect. In this regard, the recommendation contained herein will appear on the April 18, 2011 Committee of the Whole agenda. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Enforcing the provisions of Municipal Code Chapter 584 (Place of Refreshment) aligns with the Strategic Plan by ensuring that the City is a safe place to live for all residents, while providing a fair and equitable process for a licensee to seek redress regarding their business license applications. Further, in this instance, it is also connected with the Dynamic Downtown Community Priority; whereby the City’s focus is to create partnerships to address issues of safety perception in the Downtown. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are no financial implications associated with this report. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The decision of the Licensing Tribunal was served on the licensee, notifying him that it would be considered at the April 18, 2011 Council meeting. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Dan Chapman, Deputy CAO & City Treasurer, Finance & Corporate Services ì ó î DECISION OF THE LICENSING TRIBUNAL In the matter of the Class ‘A’ Place of Refreshment Business License No. 810786 issued to Justin Novak Lucky’s Wings, 320 King Street West, Kitchener, Ontario On April 4, 2011, a hearing was held in the matter of the above noted Place of Refreshment Business License. The Tribunal considered a joint submission and agreed statement of facts from Ms. J. Sheryer, on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Kitchener and from Mr. Brian Kelly, on behalf of the licensee, which was read into evidence. The Tribunal commends the parties and thanks them for their efforts in providing the agreed upon statement of facts and joint submission with regards to a penalty in this matter. In considering all of the evidence presented, the Tribunal regards the incidents which occurred from March through to December 2010 as serious. Further, it expects all licensees to operate their businesses in a manner that complies with all municipal, provincial and federal regulations and legislation as well as being respectful of the surrounding neighbourhood. unanimously Accordingly, the Tribunal recommends the following: That a Class ‘A’ Place of Refreshment Business Licence, be issued to Justin Novak, to operate Lucky’s Wings, 320 King Street West with the following conditions: 1. For three (3) weeks, commencing April 25, 2011 the establishment shall be closed by 11:00 p.m. The last day of this condition’s application shall be May 15, 2011. 2. For one (1) year, no food orders will be taken for food being served for patron consumption within the establishment after 2:15 a.m. Take-out orders may still be received. 3. For one (1) year, food will not be served to patrons for consumption in the establishment after 2:30 a.m. Take-out orders may still be received. 4. Perpetually, the front and rear garage doors will be closed while music is being played in the establishment after 10:00 p.m. Additionally, no door to the establishment may remain propped open while music is being played after 10:00 p.m. April 4, 2011 _____________________________________ __________________ Councillor B. Vrbanovic Councillor Z. Janecki Councillor P. Singh Chair Member Member ì ó í