Last week councillors decided that local residents should be given the opportunity to comment on an application to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch by Root 16 restaurant.
The licensing branch requested a council resolution for the approval of a food primary liquor license with an entertainment endorsement.
Approval of the application would permit the restaurant to serve alcohol to patrons during dinner and also during events such as concerts, wedding receptions and Christmas parties. Approval would also allow Root 16 to operate with extended hours, until 11 p.m. from Sunday to Wednesday, 12 a.m. on Thursday and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights when necessary.
A recommendation that council consider waiving the provision for public input was also suggested by the licensing branch as the application was deemed to have minimal impact on the community with respect to noise and nuisance.
Village chief administrative officer Sheryl Worthing said "Council may choose to hold a public hearing if it feels the endorsement of the application has a major impact on the residents and businesses in the surrounding area. Public hearing guidelines would then be carried out and a public hearing date would need to be set.”
She said the process for approval is lengthy and it has already sat with the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for a year. "The owner is very eager to get things moving forward," she said.
"A public hearing is not a problem if this is what council chooses ... we would send mail outs to properties within 100 metres [of the business] and the public would then have 10 days to provide comment," she added.
Councillor Illes also raised the question as to how often the restaurant would hold events. "It doesn't say how often," he said. Worthing said that she had previously spoken to the owner about the application and said it would be occasional use. Individuals could rent the space for an event or a band could be being brought in to play while patrons are eating. She also suggested that council could support the application on a trial basis of one year, then review the application after the temporary period.
Councillor Illes said he would prefer to hold a public hearing before making his decision. "It would give me more comfort. I don't know enough about this and it gives me some queasiness," he said.
He made a motion to hold a public hearing on May 24 which was also supported by Coun. Luke Strimbold.
Councilor Eileen Benedict left the room before the discussion, citing a conflict of interest. Councillor Quentin Beach did not attend the meeting.