Brewery-Distillery permits
Gibsons council has approved the development permit for a new craft brewery and distillery on Gibsons Way.
Coast Distillery and Brewery plans to set up shop in a former auto repair shop at 1009 Gibsons Way. The building will be renovated to complement the rest of Blue Heron Village, which includes the Bank of Montreal, residences, a café, a natural food store and a pharmacy.
Council also heard public input on the company’s liquor licence application for the brewery/distiller and a tasting lounge at its Oct. 4 meeting. A report from Town planning staff said the department received 10 letters supporting the project, and there were no concerns from RCMP. There were also five submissions that came in later, including one from an existing pub owner in Gibsons concerned about too many liquor licences being granted.
Councillors ended up requesting one change – reducing the seating capacity to 82 inside from the original 88. There will be 54 spots on the outdoor patio.
Coun. Stafford Lumley joked at one point that there’s another change the proponents should consider. “After I lived here for a couple of years I thought if I see another business that calls itself ‘Sunshine Coast’ or ‘Suncoast’ or ‘Coastal,’ I’m going to lose my mind. So thanks, I’ve officially lost my mind.”
The company said Coast Distillery and Brewery is “a working name” and may actually change before they open.
While the Town can make recommendations, the province makes the decision on whether a liquor licence is granted.
Grants
Councillors also approved grants-in-aid to the only two groups that came forward to apply for money under the second intake at the Oct. 4 meeting.
Director of finance Ian Poole pointed out to council that in the first round, requests came in above the amount available, so many successful applicants got less than they hoped for.
In the end, the first intake used up $10,000 of the total budget for grants-in-aid.
Of the $5,000 remaining for the second intake, the Sunshine Coast Skating Club requested $5,000 and Special Olympics Sunshine Coast requested $600.
Coun. Stafford Lumley proposed offering each group $1,000.
But, Coun. Silas White said giving anyone more than they applied for might be seen as unfair. “I think we were fair in round one,” he said. “I think that we need to be fair to the pattern we set in round one and award appropriate grants to the round two applicants that are in line with what was established.”
Council went on to approve a $1,000 grant for the Skating Club and $600 for Special Olympics.
