Pg. #

ITEM

MINUTES

GP-1

Motion to adopt the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on Monday, January 18, 2010.

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

GP-33

1.

Prohibition on the Sale of Rabbits in Pet Stores

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2772185)

Designated Speaker:  Dave Semple

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That Business Regulation Bylaw No. 7538, Amendment Bylaw No. 8566 (Attachment 1) be introduced and given first, second and third reading to ban the sale of rabbits in Richmond pet stores.

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

GP-37

2.

NEW LIQUOR PRIMARY LICENCE APPLICATION GREAT CANADIAN CASINOS INC. UNIT #105 - 8888 RIVER ROAD

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 2803514)

Designated Speaker:  Glenn McLaughlin

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That the application from Great Canadian Casinos Inc., doing business as River Rock Casino Resort, for a Liquor Primary Licence at 8888 River Road Unit #105, to offer liquor service be supported, and a letter be sent to the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch advising that:

(1)

Council recommends the issuance of the proposed license based on the community responses  received and that the operation will not have a significant negative impact on the community.

(2)

Council’s comments on the prescribed review criteria are as follows:

(a)

The establishment is located on the ground floor of a 7 storey parking structure and Canada Line transit station.  To the north is the River Rock Hotel and Casino.  To the west and east are commercial buildings housing light industrial uses and to the south is a bus loop and commercial buildings.

(b)

The proximity to other social or recreational facilities and public buildings was considered as no schools or parks are within a 500-metre radius.

(c)

The application for a 200 person capacity operation with liquor service hours from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Monday to Sunday from where the game of poker is offered to patrons will not pose a significant negative impact on the community based on the lack of responses from the residents and businesses in the area.

(d)

The number and market focus or clientele of liquor primary licence establishments within a reasonable distance of the proposed location was considered.

(e)

There are no concerns regarding additional noise, traffic or parking in the area if the application is approved. 

(f)

The zoning of the establishment, Casino Hotel Commercial (ZC17) – Bridgeport Village (City Centre), was reviewed and conforms to the regulations.

(g)

The 2008 population figure of 42,600 for the City Centre area with a projected growth to                 90,000 by 2031 and relevant socio-economic information was considered.

(h)

The impact on the community if the application is approved was considered.

(3)

As the operation of a licensed establishment may affect nearby residents the City gathered the views of the residents as follows:

(a)

As per City Policy, residents, property owners and businesses within a 100 metre radius of the subject property were contacted by letter detailing the application and were provided with instructions on how community comments or concerns could be submitted.

(b)

In addition, signage was posted at the subject property and three public notices were published in a local newspaper.  This signage and notice provided information on the application and instructions on how community comments or concerns could be submitted.

(4)

Council’s comments and recommendations respecting the views of the residents are as follows:

(a)

Since there was no public responses received from residents within a 100-metre radius, Council considers that the application is acceptable to the majority of the residents in the nearby area.

GP-43

3.

Temporary Request For Extended Hours of Service for Liquor Primary Licence

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2806917)

Designated Speaker:  Glenn McLaughlin

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That Council provide a no objection comment to LCLB on the temporary increase of hours to liquor service on the Liquor Primary Licence held by Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel as the increase in hours will not have an impact on residential areas and traffic and noise in the area will not be adversely affected.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

GP-47

4.

Additional Hotel Room Tax and Future Local Tourism Funding

(File Ref. No.:  08-4150-03-01/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2802682)

Designated Speaker:  Neonila Lilova

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That a letter be sent to the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and UBCM, providing comments on current local tourism funding scenarios, as outlined in the attached staff report dated January 18, 2010.

GP-69

5.

Richmond Sport Hosting Grant Program

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2802531)

Designated Speaker:  Mike Romas

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

(1)

That the City of Richmond Sport Hosting Incentive Grant Policy be approved; and

(2)

That a provisional account for unspent sport hosting grant funds within the Sport Hosting budget be established and that unspent funds be placed in this account.

ADJOURNMENT