A last-minute submission by the owner of the Cowboy Ranch has pushed a city council decision on the pub's expansion until Oct. 6.
With the removal of their retail liquor store, the Cowboy Ranch is proposing to increase their seat count by 188 to bring the total allowed occupant load to 268 seats. This would include a new 48-seat seasonal patio, facing La Salle Avenue.
Owner Brock Gable brought forward what members of council described as an "inch thick" document during his allotted time at Monday night's public hearing on the application.
Gable said that the material included letters of support, the occupancy loads of other establishments as well as maps.
Mayor Shari Green expressed her frustration over being handed the information so late in the game.
"For me personally... I don't think this serves you well in that I can't appreciate the work you've put in to this document. I'm trying to listen to your presentation but you want me to read 200 pages of content at the same time - and I'm not going to be able to do that," said Green. "There's letters in here addressed to me I've never seen. Some of them are dated in August, some are early September and they didn't arrive. They could have arrived at any time, so that's challenging."
Council adjourned the public hearing until 7 p.m. next Monday to consider the new information, that will also be published as part of the public agenda later this week.
The business, at 2595 Queensway, is also asking to change the hours of liquor service to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Currently, the earliest liquor be served at the location is 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. at the latest on Fridays and Saturdays.
The proposed increase in seats isn't supported by the city's liquor license policy, said a staff report. "Occupancy loads outside of the Central Business District are recommended to have an occupant load no greater than 125 seats due to the establishment's proximity to residential uses."
Cowboy Ranch is adjacent to the intersection of La Salle Avenue and Queensway, a residential development. The proposed increased hours are not supported by staff as the city has already received weekend complaints of music, and patrons and staff smoking near the rear of the building.
"The potential for noise and traffic complaints generate by an increase in occupancy, and increase hours of liquor service could be significant to the La Salle [Avenue] area," said a staff report.
The business owners were also asking for a one-year temporary use permit to provide parking at the adjacent 1045 Thapage Lane property, which staff also did not support. Cowboy Ranch currently has about 24 parking spaces
Prior to the hearing, a petition with four dozen signatures opposing the proposal and letters against the application were submitted.
"This no longer sounds like a neighbourhood pub, perhaps more like a club of some sort with a dance floor and a stage," wrote neighbours John Martinsen and Doreen Dery. "It will change to a busier and noisier establishment, one that may be better suited in the downtown business district away from residents trying to enjoy their backyard on summer evenings or getting some sleep later at night."
"The establishment also has the potential to reduce property value to future home buyers due to the stigma of a bar/nightclub in the area," wrote Nicole Zutz. "We don't need any additional preconceived notions about our neighbourhood."
There were also letters of support submitted after initial deadline.
"The new owner deserves a chance to show that he can operate in a safe, responsible manner just like any other neighbourhood pub," wrote Wendy and Danny Andrews.
