City of Powell River Council has voted for issuance of a temporary use permit for Townsite Brewing for an upgraded outdoor space in front of the brewery.
At the February 18 city council meeting, councillors voted for the outdoor commercial use to upgrade the licensed picnic area Townsite Brewing installed so patrons have more spaces to sit while meeting COVID-19 physical distancing requirements.
Councillor Rob Southcott said this temporary use permit will allow Townsite Brewing to apply for a patio endorsement, which is a provincial licence endorsement.
“The temporary use permit is basically to allow Townsite Brewing to cover and heat the picnic area where they have put tables and seats out on Ash Avenue in front of their premises,” said Southcott. “That was allowed through a development variance permit last year, contingent on the COVID-19 relaxation for restaurants that some others availed themselves of as well. No service to those tables is allowed, so this temporary use permit will allow them to upgrade to allow service with cover and heat, and therefore to enable them to have a patio licence.”
According to a staff report, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) requires that any outdoor licensed space with shelter and heating undergo what the LCRB calls a structural change to their licence and receive a patio endorsement.
The staff report states the brewery patio is compatible with the surrounding context and the subject property is located in a commercial area, with some residential uses located more than two blocks away.
The report states the sustainable official community plan encourages pedestrian-oriented commercial spaces to generate strong neighbourhood focal points, healthy neighbourhood centres and innovative planning that fosters more business activity. Additionally, development in Townsite is specifically encouraged to act as an activity generator for the neighbourhood.
“It is in staff’s opinion that the proposed outdoor commercial use accomplishes this,” the report stated.
