Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140’s proposed new location at 5546 Inlet Ave. in Sechelt has received first reading from Sechelt council so that it can be rezoned Neighbourhood Pub.
The Legion is redeveloping the site where an automotive repair shop used to operate, as well as building an addition. The existing building is “substantially” smaller than its current location at 5591 Wharf Ave., according to a Dec. 15 regular council staff report.
The 182-sq.- metre addition will be located at the back of the building and will accommodate a 65-seat food and liquor establishment, offices and meeting space.
Recently the Legion shifted its business to a liquor primary licence, said the report, which has triggered the need for a rezoning application, since the current Commercial 2 zone only permits clubs and fraternal lodges, rather than the neighbourhood pub designation appropriate for that type of licence. The liquor licence would also have to be relocated and approved by council.
Near the new Legion site are Arrowhead Clubhouse, legacy housing and a School District No. 46 building for alternative education programs.
A variance permit will be needed to allow for less parking than required from the size of the building and addition and staff recommended it be a condition of bylaw adoption and be considered with the form and character development permit.
Eleven off-street spaces have been proposed for a rate of one space per six seats, compared with standard one per three. Staff suggested there is enough on-street parking to meet peak demand. The report also suggested the applicants include bicycle storage.
Staff said they’d be interested in working on a vision for parking in the downtown core.
Parking regulations haven’t been updated substantially since adoption, while newer regulations in other municipalities “have adopted a more progressive approach to parking requirements in the downtown area and range from eliminating minimum parking altogether (Penticton) to allowing up to 50 per cent reductions (Sooke).”
Staff recommended the district eventually conduct a “comprehensive parking study” for the downtown area.
Director of planning Andrew Allen noted parking is busy during the daytime, but space is freed up after 5 p.m. in the area, but also that there is a lot of parking compared to other municipalities.
Planner Kirn Dhillon said another solution would be to promote active transportation in the downtown area.
Directors gave first reading to the zoning amendment.
