The drinks might go down for a little longer and the lights may come up a little later at Green Leaf Brewing, following a recent City of North Vancouver council decision.
Council voted 4-1 Feb. 6 to opt out of a public consultation process on the Quay establishment’s application to the province to stay open until 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and midnight on Sunday.
“The location is such that it’s not likely to interfere with nearby residences,” said Coun. Don Bell. “We’ve got, hopefully, a summer of good weather ahead of us and there’ll be an opportunity for this to make the Quay area more animated.”
Bell noted service on the brewery’s balcony will still cut off at 10 p.m. and customers are expected to take their parties elsewhere by 11 p.m.
Staff recommended the city opt out of Green Leaf’s request to pour in the wee smalls, citing “no noise complaints resulting from the lounge and outdoor patio to date,” according to a city report.
The report also noted there are no residents near the south end of the Lonsdale Quay Market and the closest public building is the John Braithwaite centre two blocks away. The later hours could help animate the area as crowds tend to wane in the evening while helping slake the burgeoning thirst for craft beer, according to city staff.
“The potential impact … would not be sufficient to warrant further public input,” stated the report penned by city business services manager Larry Orr.
The city’s decision puts the onus on Green Leaf to consult with the public before the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch review their request.
The nearest watering holes are Sailor Hagar’s and the Rusty Gull. The neighbourhood pubs tend to cater “to the immediate neighbourhoods and city residents,” while Green Leaf packs in tourists and commuters, “followed by local residents,” according to Orr’s report.
While later hours might “create some competition,” city staff contend that competition “will be minimal.”
Green Leaf’s capacity is set to remain at 46.
Coun. Rod Clark cast the only vote of opposition.
