Parksville council voted to forward a resolution of ‘Partial Objection’ regarding a proposal by Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company to make its outdoor patio permanent, as well as construct an addition.
The resolution will go to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
The area consists of two sections: an existing 87 square metre patio section next to the boulevard allowed under a provincial temporary authorization and a proposed 80 square metre addition. The combined 167 square metre area would have a licensed occupancy for 66 people, including staff, with seating for 62, according to a report to council’s June 20 regular meeting by the city’s director of community planning and building.
Several councillors brought up concerns from nearby residents, including four letters the city received representing the opposition of 11 people to the proposed expansion.
Coun. Adam Fras said the resident concerns, including parking issues, were why he favoured a ‘Partial Objection’, which was option 2 in the agenda package. He added patrons appear to be parking along Stanford Avenue despite the ‘no parking’ signs and neighbours seemed to have tolerated the disruptions because they understood it was related to a temporary COVID measure.
“I feel that option 2 provides the best solution to this problem,” said Coun. Doug O’Brien, who added the option would permit the temporary existing patio to become a permanent fixture, but would not allow an addition.
“In my mind, and after visiting the site and after looking at the residents’ comments and so forth, there’s already severe parking issues around the place.”
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Coun. Teresa Patterson said the community will continue to grow and she expects the brewery will become busier in the future, and likely outgrow its present location.
Coun. Mark Chandler pointed out the brewery’s busiest times tend to be when most of the neighbouring businesses, which share a parking lot, are closed and parking spaces are freed up.
“I don’t really envision this changing the way things are,” said Chandler, who added the brewery closes at 8 p.m. most nights, and 10 p.m. at the latest, so its patrons would not cause a disturbance late into the night.
The resolution of ‘Partial Objection’ includes an indication from council that the outdoor patio being made permanent be limited to the extent of the existing fenced patio area adjacent the boulevard and that occupancy in the area be limited to a maximum of 30 persons.