Coquitlam city council is supporting an application by a Burquitlam pub to open earlier despite objections from several area residents and two councillors.
The Taphouse, which is in the Executive Plaza Hotel on North Road, wants to have the ability to open at 9 a.m., seven days a week. It currently opens at 11:30 a.m., Monday to Thursday and noon on weekends. The pub, however, intends to only open earlier for special international events, such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cups.
“This is a simple modification that allows them to compete when there’s those rare times when they want to open earlier rather than having to jump through hoops every time [there’s a big event],” said Coun. Dennis Marsden.
The city received 24 comments and submissions about the application after 1,343 written notices were sent out to area businesses and property owners. Three respondents supported the application while 21 objected.
However, many of the objectors thought the application, because it is being made to the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, included an ability to sell marijuana. City staff contacted those commenters to inform them it was only a change to liquor hours. Many also complained about safety, noise and negative behaviours by patrons, especially late at night.
Marsden noted The Taphouse is in a part of the city where, although there is some residential, is mainly retail and commercial. But other councillors thought those the concerns were still relevant. Coun. Trish Mandewo said there is a day care in the vicinity, and there’s smoking and loitering around the establishment.
“I see that as being problematic,” said Mandewo.
Coun. Bonita Zarrillo said she would prefer the pub be required to make an application every time it wants to open earlier.
“I’m going to put kids and working people ahead of twice a year or once a year,” said Zarrillo.
Although Mandewo wondered how the city was going to make sure the pub kept its word, Coun. Steve Kim said the city has to take the applicant at “good faith” it would only use it for special events.
City clerk Jay Gilbert noted the licence was not Coquitlam’s to give, it was just being asked for feedback to the application.
Coun. Chris Wilson said most of the area residents moved there knowing the pub existed, and opening in the morning “shouldn’t have much impact on the evening.”
“Maybe we can do a better job policing the area and encouraging the owners of the establishment to have better control in the evenings,” said Wilson.
The RCMP said it has no concerns about the earlier extended hours.
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