Kelowna City Council is going to be debating several changes to its liquor policies next week, including the potential of removing some liquor licence applications from public hearings.
Policy No. 359 Liquor Licensing Policy & procedures was last reviewed in 2010.
Since then, city staff say Kelowna's liquor scene has changed from a handful of nightclubs to a wide variety of nightclubs, bars, pubs and craft breweries. They say there has also been an upswing in local manufacturing.
City councillors have considered 36 liquor licence applications since 2020 and only 54% have been fully consistent with the existing policy but 94% of them have been approved.
Kelowna has 83 liquor primary licences and 46 manufacturing licences.
To address the change, and some of the issues, staff say an updated liquor policy is needed to ensure it “adequately” addressed the broad range of liquor establishments in the city.
First, they recommend including a new “Central Area” map to outline the different regulations.
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Staff say the city should also limit closing times to 2 am, patio closures at 11 pm and liquor establishments outside of the Central Area to close at midnight.
In Kelowna, establishments are limited to a capacity of no more than 500 people, but staff propose larger establishments may be allowed if they close at midnight and can be considered if liquor service is provided along with other entertainment options less focused on drinking.
The city rejected a capacity increase for the Liquid Zoo last year and approved a contentious liquor licence application for Revelry Food+Music Hub in 2022.
No site separation is proposed for downtown bars and pubs but a 250-metre site separation is recommended outside of downtown for capacities over 500 people.
Staff say a specific Patron Participation Endorsement should be included in the policy.
Kelowna council has dealt with several of these applications recently including two Dunnenzies locations and Hotel Eldorado.
City staff are also recommending adjusting a policy related to cannabis in parks, stadiums and facilities.
Additionally, staff say some events should be allowed to have licensed cannabis use.
Changes to liquor licence applications approval
All liquor licence applications are dealt with on Tuesday meetings, which also include public hearings. Staff say this requirement can delay approval for liquor licence applications.
Staff are recommending that anything under a 99 person capacity should be reviewed and approved by staff.
Anything between a 100 and 250 person capacity should be reviewed during the regular Monday afternoon meeting and anything larger than 250 people should be kept on the Tuesday evening meeting.
“The proposed changes will result in quicker processing times and cost-saving opportunities for small and medium businesses requiring liquor licence application changes in the City of Kelowna,” the report says.
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