An application to increase the capacity of the LegionB次元官网网址檚 liquor license came under fire at LangfordB次元官网网址檚 council meeting Monday.
A handful of neighbouring residents voiced concerns about the increase, noting patrons are already outside causing disturbances.
B次元官网网址淵ou put another 50 people outside and itB次元官网网址檒l be chaos,B次元官网网址� said Patrick Fortune.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 applied at the end of July to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) to increase the capacity of their existing licence by 52 people, which would be supported by the addition of an outdoor patio.
Last month, council decided to review the proposal and notified all properties within a 30-metre radius of the 761 Station Ave. property, inviting them to provide feedback on the application.
As Coun. Denise Blackwell noted, the City does not have the ability to approve or reject the application but can only offer its recommendation to the LCLB.
A report prepared by staff noted the LegionB次元官网网址檚 hours are Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The reported noted the LegionB次元官网网址檚 hours are reasonable given nearby establishments are open until midnight or 2 a.m. depending on the day and that the patio would likely only be used for a short time of the year given the weather.
At the time that report was compiled, no feedback from the public had been received by staff.
But the noise was one of the main concerns voiced by neighbouring residents at MondayB次元官网网址檚 meeting.
B次元官网网址淭he Legion has been nothing but a disruption to the neighbourhood,B次元官网网址� said Cody Sanderson, whose home neighbours the property.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so loud we canB次元官网网址檛 sleep,B次元官网网址� Fortune added. He plans to retire and downsize in the near future and is worried that if this application is approved it will effect the value of his home.
But as a few residents noted, itB次元官网网址檚 not necessarily Legion members causing these problems but some of the patrons the facilities are rented to for weddings or themed events.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a bunch of elderly people B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 all sorts of people hanging out at the Legion,B次元官网网址� Sanderson added.
Other neighbours echoed their concerns adding some of the smoke and language coming from the property is unacceptable given the children in the neighbourhood and along with parking problems, there has been some concern about patrons driving intoxicated.
Acting as mayor, Coun. Matt Sahlstrom noted he was shocked to hear this feedback from residents as it hadnB次元官网网址檛 been brought to his attention before. He suggested staff have a look at the adjacent street and see if it would be possible to make it resident permit parking only.
He also questioned whether it would be possible to put up some type of noise blocking concrete fencing.
During councilB次元官网网址檚 deliberation, Coun. Lanny Seaton excused himself from the meeting due to a conflict of interest.
After he left, Coun. Lillian Szpak said B次元官网网址淚 appreciate those of you that came out to speak tonight B次元官网网址� WeB次元官网网址檝e got to be extremely cautious of how this proceeds.B次元官网网址�
While she noted they have to support the Legion, they also have to support other residents as well.
Ultimately, council voted not to recommend the patio extension be approved.
On Tuesday, Legion president Norm Scott said he was not at the meeting because it was his understanding that it was an in-camera session and not open for public input.
B次元官网网址淭he Legion has been here since the early B次元官网网址�60s B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 sad, itB次元官网网址檚 really sad that three neighbours can rally up that much support and overturn this application.B次元官网网址�
He noted bylaw officers from the Capital Regional District have visited the branch and they are following all of the smoking laws. He also noted their current liquor license would allow them to operate from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m. every day of the week. But he said at the majority of their events the bar closes before midnight and attendees usually leave before 1 a.m.
The idea behind the patio, Scott said, is to provide members with a quiet space outside to enjoy a drink in the sun during summer months when membership is down.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 bewildered right now.B次元官网网址�
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