SCRD supports outdoor serving space at Roberts Creek Legion

Roberts Creek Legion’s request to have non-amplified outdoor music or entertainment in addition to liquor service permanently allowed on a proposed patio received support at the Jan. 12 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) Board meeting. The local elected representatives’ recommendation on the group’s application now goes to the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for consideration.

The area where the proposed patio is to be located received a temporary LCRB outdoor liquor service license during the COVID-19 pandemic. That licence is for an approved capacity of 70 patrons and staff and is set to expire March 31.

The SCRD recommendation calls for limiting open air live performances to Canada Day plus Thursday to Saturday evenings between 5 and 8 p.m. from May through August annually. Keeping sound levels at or under 70 decibels as measured at the lot lines of the property is another suggested condition related to having outdoor entertainment at the venue.

Making the Legion, not SCRD bylaw enforcement, responsible for monitoring sound levels, if the project is approved by the LRCB, was also recommended by the SCRD Board. General manager of planning and development Ian Hall noted that staff suggested that approach to avoid further workload increases for bylaw enforcement and so that the SCRD could “stay in it’s lane” when it comes to setting rules for operations that will be decided on by another level of government. A previous staff proposal that a restrictive covenant be placed on the property to regulate noise issues was withdrawn.

The recommendation to the LCRB passed in a four to three vote, with Area D director Kelly Backs not participating due to a conflict he declared as a member of that Legion branch. Raising hands in opposition were Area E director Donna McMahon, Area F director Kate Louise Stamford and Sechelt director Alton Toth.

McMahon noted that input had also been requested from the Legion’s neighbouring property owners and that the majority of those who responded had indicated they were not in favour of changes to the facility’s liquor licence. She said it was her view that endorsement of a previous committee recommendation that the patio be approved as a liquor service area but without live entertainment was “a good compromise." She questioned the capacity of the Legion to do the monitoring required and noted that the venue “needed to improve” relationships with its neighbours.