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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-10-011 - Request for Removal of Liquor Licensing Conditions - Lucky's Wings - 320 King St WREPORT REPORT TO: Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Chair and Members of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: January 25, 2010 SUBMITTED BY: Liquor Licensing Review Committee PREPARED BY: Patricia Harris, Manager of Licensing WARD(S) INVOLVED: 1 DATE OF REPORT: January 15, 2010 REPORT NO.: CRPS-10-011 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OF LIQUOR LICENSING CONDITIONS - LUCKY'S WINGS - 320 KING ST. W. RECOMMENDATION: That Council oppose the request of Justin Novak, owner of Lucky’s Wings, 320 King Street West to have Conditions #5 and #8 removed from his current liquor licence as issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. BACKGROUND: On March 31, 2008 Council heard representation from staff and Mr. Novak regarding a request for liquor licence that had been made for the premises known as Lucky’s Wings located at 320 King Street West. Council subsequently opposed the issuance of a liquor licence for this premises unless certain conditions were attached to the licence. A Liquor Licensing Hearing was requested by Mr. Novak and the AGCO held the hearing on September 3, 2008. At that time representation was heard by the Hearing Committee from City staff, business owners in the area and Mr. Novak. A decision was rendered by the AGCO on October 2, 2008 whereby a liquor licence was issued but with several conditions attached. The conditions included: 1. to post in a conspicuous place and abide by the Downtown Licensed Establishments Code of Conduct; 2. to become a member of the Kitchener Downtown Business Association’s License Committee and attend its meetings; 3. to abide to a set 30% monthly ratio of alcohol sales to gross refreshment sales (including food and other sundries) in other words, alcohol sales will be limited to 30% of gross refreshment sales; 4. for the first year of operation, stop serving alcohol by 12:01 a.m. and close the business by 1:00 a.m. daily 5. to provide that only the main floor restaurant/lounge area, comprising 2,550 square feet with an occupant load of 180 persons and tables set for approximately 70 persons be licensed; ì ó ï 6. to notify the Clerk of the City of Kitchener in writing of any application to change the license at the time of the application for the change is made to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and not to expand the establishment with the consent of the City’s Council; 7. to comply with the Noise By-law and the Smoking By-law; 8. not to have the owners of the property work, either as management or employees of the business, and; 9. these conditions shall bind all successors, assigns and subsequent licence holders (if any) REPORT: The Liquor Licensing Review Committee (LLARC) has received a request from Justin Novak, owner of Lucky’s Wings, 320 King Street West requesting that Conditions #5 and #8 be removed from his Liquor Licence. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) has informed Mr. Novak that City Council must approve the removal of any conditions from his liquor licence as these conditions were added to the licence through the hearing process as per City Council’s request. It is LLARC’s opinion that Conditions #5 and #8 should remain as part of the liquor licence. When this was first discussed at Council there were concerns expressed that there had been numerous problems in the rear area of the building from the patrons of the former Passions Lounge. Waterloo Regional Police have expressed concerns that if the rear portion of the building is reopened some of the problems that were part of the former business may resurface. Regarding Condition #8 it is the Committee’s opinion that this condition should remain. The owners of the building at 320 King Street West are still the same as in 2008 and were involved in the former Passions. Passions had several incidents of violence when it was in operation and the Committee believes that it is in the best interest of the City and its citizens that this condition not be removed. Finally, under the Liquor Licensing Act, municipalities are not given an opportunity to comment regarding transfers of liquor licences. There are concerns that specific conditions could be removed from the liquor licence and then a new owner could take over the business who may not be a good corporate citizen and problems that had arisen previously could resurface. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None COMMUNICATIONS: A copy of this report will be provided to Mr. Novak prior to the Committee meeting. . ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Troy Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services ì ó î