City council has received a 109 name petition opposing the creation of a 400-seat nightclub at the intersection of Vancouver Street and Fourth Avenue.
Area resident Dax Harasym organized the petition against the proposed club, which is tentatively named Coyote's. A group of local investors is seeking to convert the former Cineplex Odeon movie theater and Good Time's Bingo hall into a nightclub targeted at an older demographic interested in live rock n' roll, country music and dancing.
Before the nightclub can be established, city council must
approve a rezoning for the site.
"My family and I strongly oppose the rezoning and liquor license application of a nightclub at 355 Vancouver St.," Harasym wrote in a letter to city council. "The late-night traffic, drunken, rowdy loitering and the possible drug dealing/buying patrons -as well as the noise seven days a week [until] 3 a.m. -is definitely not a welcomed idea and I believe will have a negative effect to the residential area of downtown."
Harasym could not be reached for comment as of press time. However, in his letter, Harasym said there are many other locations which would be suitable for a nightclub that aren't, "residential downtown's backyard."
Harasym's petition isn't the only feedback city council has received on the proposed nightclub.
In a letter to city council, Investgo Ventures president Gordon Bliss said the location is not
appropriate for a nightclub.
"As a major investor in the downtown to improve housing and residential use, and also as a resident, I feel that, although the town probably could use another entertainment facility such as this, I do not feel this is the right location," Bliss wrote. "The proponents have indiciated a willingness to make this nightclub as risk free as possible ... however once their clientele leave to go home at 2 a.m. -3 a.m. in the morning their control will vanish and we, the neighbourhood, could be subject to vandalism, loud shouting, possible fighting, [public] urinating and such on our properties."
Prince George Native Friendship Centre president Emma Palmantier wrote a letter to council opposing the project on behalf of the organization's board of directors.
"A key cornerstone of the high-quality services delivered by the PGNFC is reducing the barriers aboriginal people experience related to the economic, physical and social harms arising from the use of alcohol and other drugs," Palmantier wrote. "The proposed Coyote's night club does not support this philosophical approach to facilitating positive and life-enhancing opportunities for the approximately 50,000 people who access our
services annually."
Palmantier said the board has concerns about public alcohol consumption, litter, drug activity, vandalism, gang presences and other security issues related to being located across the street from a nightclub.
Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Janine North and her husband, Tom North, also wrote council opposing the nightclub.
"If the city approves rezoning of the old theater to a Coyote's nightclub, it will chase us and others who want to live closer or within the downtown core out of the neighbourhood," North wrote. "The horrible experiences of the noise and disorderly conduct around the Cadillac Ranch, Prince George Hotel, as well as the garbage I see littering the street in front [of the] Generator ... are ample reason."
The first two readings of the rezoning bylaw are slated to go before city council on March 12. If council approves the first two readings of the bylaw, a public hearing is tentatively scheduled for
April 16.
Proponent reaction
Coyote's nightclub developer Ted Coole said the proposed club meets a need in the community.
Coole said the developer group has done its best to accommodate the concerns of residents in the area. "With our open house we did meet with the neighbours and are aware of the concerns," Coole said. "All of the issues we feel we have addressed."
The proposed 10,000 square-foot club would include a concert-style stage and dance floor in a sound-insulated building. A patio will allow smokers to smoke outside in an area where the noise is contained. The lineup into the club will be located inside an enclosed lobby.
Coole said the proponents have incorporated the concerns raised by residents at a Feb. 1 open house into the proposal, which will be presented to city council.
"That really is the next step," Coole said.
"We're hoping that sometime this week they [city staff] will determine if the recommendation is for or against it."
