Vancouver city staff support Hollywood Theatre liquor license
Credit to Author: Nick Eagland| Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2019 22:23:12 +0000
Vancouver city staff say council should support an application to turn Kitsilano’s historic Hollywood Theatre into a multi-use venue with a liquor-primary licence.
A staff report going to council this week recommends that an application from consulting firm Blue Diamond Hospitality, representing Hollywood Theatres Ltd., get a council resolution endorsing an event-driven liquor licence for the 594-person venue at 3123 West Broadway.
The operators intend to run the theatre as a venue for arts and entertainment events such as concerts, live theatre and film presentations, according to the staff report. They will also host corporate, private and non-profit events, and a family food-service endorsement will allow minors accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter licensed areas until 10 p.m. when food service is available.
Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday to Saturday. After the theatre has operated for six months, the city may consider extended hours, from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
The recommendation is backed by city manager Sadhu Johnston, according to the report.
“This application meets council policy as a live performance venue and aligns with the city’s commitment to providing more live performance venues,” city staff say in the report.
“Staff is recommending council endorse the applicant’s request with the conditions outlined in the recommendation.”
Those conditions include a time-limited development permit and good-neighbour agreement to ensure the theatre “operates in a manner conducive to the surrounding area,” according to the report.
They will need to submit an acoustical report to prove they are meeting noise-control bylaw requirements. They must sign a community-use agreement committing to provide use of the venue by local non-profit arts and culture organizations at cost.
The theatre opened in 1935 but was closed after its sale in 2011. It has original Art Deco features such as hieroglyphic decorations, an undulating facade, inset scrolled figures, black and gold tiles, frameless glass ticket booth, and prominent marquee and exterior signage. It received heritage designation on July 24, 2018.
A Romantic Vancouver Icon the Hollywood theatre’s beloved neon sign lit up at night Vancouver on Oct. 20, 2010.
The theatre’s operations management team includes David Hawkes and Sean Mawhinney, both longtime entertainment producers. Hollywood Theatres Ltd. principal director Dino Bonnis, Hawkes and Mawhinney are “committed to the heritage preservation and continuing cultural use of the venue,” the report says.
City staff say the venue will provide an important cultural space for arts, entertainment and the Kitsilano community.
“In order for the Hollywood Theatre to remain economically sustainable and competitive with other venues of similar size, they are proposing to offer diverse and inclusive programming,” the report says.
During a neighbourhood consultation period, the city received 215 pieces of public feedback regarding the liquor application, including 163 in support and 49 in opposition.
Those who supported the application said the area needs more arts and cultural spaces and community facilities, and said they were excited about the heritage theatre’s revitalization and how it will enhance the neighbourhood.
Those in opposition said they felt the primarily residential neighbourhood doesn’t need another liquor primary establishment (there are two within 750 feet of the theatre). They expressed concerns about potential increased noise, parking and traffic issues, and public nuisances and disturbances, as well as safety and security issues.
City staff say concerns about impacts on the neighbourhood will be mitigated by the conditions for the licence’s approval.
— With files from Jennifer Saltman and Scott Brown
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