Prince George city council approved a three year temporary liquor license to the Coast Inn of the North, with only Mayor Dan Rogers and councillor Debora Munoz opposed.
The temporary use permit will allow the Coast Inn to build a liquor store on the south side of the building, at the parking lot level.
"We understand there are concerns around attracting undesirables into the downtown area. We will ensure all our actions will ensure this problem will not persist," said Doug Andrews, general manager of the Coast Inn who presented the request.
He said much of the chronic alcoholic populous focuses around the availability of cheap alcohol, and the proposed liquor store intends to offer only high end wines, beers, and perhaps bottles of Scotch.
"Security measures will also be increased, including more lighting, reflective paint and more security," said Andrews.
Hugh Nicholson, president of the Prince George downtown business improvement association, voiced concerns that a liquor store opening in the downtown area will bring old problems back to the surface.
"Having a liquor store open while we are in the process of recovery, if you will, would only interfere with our efforts to clean up the downtown area," said Nicholson. He said the association is not opposed to a business working to improve themselves, but a liquor store may encourage similar problems as to when the Prince George Hotel's cold beer and wine store was open.
"We just heard about this request recently, and would like the time to have a conversation with the Coast Inn, as to find a compromise that would suit everyone's interests," he said.
One concern of a liquor store opening at this location was the possible impacts to its neighbours, such as the Prince George Public Library.
Allan Wilson, the chief librarian, said the Coast Inn has been a great neighbour, but intoxication is an ongoing feat for the library.
"We have about 800 to 1,200 incidents a year. About 30 to 35 per cent of those involve intoxication," said Wilson. "If the council is interested, I could compile that type of information for you."
Yet, the opposition was not strong enough.
Councillors in support of the liquor store stated the cliental, looking for expensive wine and $200 bottles of Scotch, would not contribute to previous issues. Furthermore, the fact that the Coast Inn will have a temporary license was attractive to councillors, who compared the three year license to a trial run of sorts.
The Coast Inn expects to have the store open sometime in the summer of 2011.
