Moved by Councillor Santos,

WHEREAS there was recent media coverage of a serious incident at a nightclub located on Bannatyne Avenue located in the Exchange District;

AND WHEREAS there has been numerous service calls to the nightclub on Bannatyne Avenue, involving the Winnipeg Police Service and the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (the “LGCA”) over the last 12 months;

AND WHEREAS the Exchange District neighbourhood is a mixed use residential and commercial community that accommodates a wide variety of local store front commercial businesses, nightclubs, restaurants and other community amenities to support the growing neighbourhood for residents who live and want to live in the Exchange District;

AND WHEREAS the residents of the Exchange District neighbourhood, together along with the ward Councillor, have been working together with the Winnipeg Police Service and the LGCA to address concerns in respect of the Citizen Nightclub;

AND WHEREAS in Section 105(2) of The Liquor Gaming and Cannabis Control Act (Manitoba) states as follows: “An applicant is not required to give public notice of the application if the applicant seeks a liquor service licence for premises in respect of which the executive director issued the same category of liquor service licence in the year before the
application.”;

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Manitoba has advised that a legislative amendment to Section 105(2) would not be warranted at this time as the LGCA cannot withhold a licence and that the LGCA liquor service licensing requirements are predicated on respecting municipal zoning requirements and standards; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Lord Selkirk – West Kildonan Community Committee recommend to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage, and Downtown Development that the Winnipeg Public Service be directed to:

1. Review the Downtown Winnipeg Zoning By-law and the Development Procedures Bylaw to confirm the occupancy approvals required to establish a new restaurant, drinking establishment (such as bar, nightclub, lounge) or billiard hall use within a character sector; and

2. Report to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development, within 60 days, with recommended by-law amendments necessary to ensure that any new restaurant, drinking establishment (such as bar, nightclub, lounge) or billiard hall use with a proposed floor area exceeding 3,000 square feet or a proposed capacity exceeding 200 patrons, be required to obtain written approval by the relevant Community Committee.

Carried