Management of Townsite Brewing is hoping an expanded capacity to serve beer at the brewery will further the historic neighbourhood’s development as a tourist destination.
City of Powell River council passed a motion to recommend the province issue the brewery a lounge endorsement and opt out of the public-information process at its Thursday, March 3, regular meeting. The decision was originally brought to council the month previous, but councillors concerned about the implications of opting out decided to ask staff for more information.
“We’re not being asked if we’re giving approval,” stated Thomas Knight, city director of planning, at the meeting. “We’re being asked if we want to opt in or out of the process. The only group that can make the approval is the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch [LCLB]. We’re providing assistance to them.”
Last summer, Townsite Brewing applied to expand its ability to serve beer on site with a 10-seat lounge licence. Local government received a referral from LCLB in December 2015.
As a part of that kind of application process, the province asks local governments if they wish to conduct a public consultation and whether the application fits with the direction of the community.
“We’re a bit surprised that council took longer to react to it than we had envisioned, but we’re very happy,” said Chloe Smith, Townsite Brewing general manager. “It’s moving forward and we look forward to being a destination.”
Smith said the 10-seat licence will not change the existing tasting room, but will allow the brewery to serve patrons pints of beer as well as full glasses on its sampling paddle.
“Nothing is actually going to change for us in there with the seating,” said Smith. “This will just allow you to have a full glass of beer, instead of a half glass.”
Under current regulations, the brewery is only permitted to serve 12 ounces of beer per person per day in its tasting room.
“That presents a problem for us because we have five-ounce tasting glasses and a nice paddle with four tasting glasses, but I can’t fill them all the way because that would be 20 ounces,” said Smith.
The business recognizes the potential for drawing more tourists and locals to the historic Powell River neighbourhood, she added.
“Once you’re down here, you might want to take in a movie or get something to eat at one of the local restaurants,” she said. “We think that’s a bonus for all the businesses in the neighbourhood.”
Knight stated the project was in line with the city’s strategic economic development priorities and, given the minor nature of the amendment, that the city opt out of the public-review process to save the brewery from having to pay for city staff time. Knight added that city council opting out on this application will not have any bearing on how future referrals from the province are handled.
The city received several letters of support from Townsite businesses, but councillor Jim Palm, who was the only one who voted against the resolution, said he thought voting in favour sent the wrong message.
“I have a lot of problems endorsing this and passing a motion before the public consultation,” stated Palm. “We are putting council square in the forefront. If we were to opt out of the endorsement and send it back to the LCLB, who then have to prove to us that they have taken every measure possible to do their public consultation, then we will have all the important facts before us to make this decision.”
Palm told council that not all Townsite businesses are in favour and the lounge endorsement would bring more competition to restaurants operating in the area because the brewery would be required to make food available for patrons.
Smith said other breweries have made snacks available and Townsite Brewing is looking to partner with restaurants in the neighbourhood to provide the service if required.
Knight said the endorsement of the application is not the same as an approval.
“We’re just giving clarity that we’re not opting out because we don’t like this,” said Knight, “we are actually suggesting that there’s a whole bunch of reasons to go forward, we just don’t want to do the public process.”
