A lengthy public hearing on a potential expansion of Queensway's Cowboy Ranch pitted employees, regular patrons and other business owners against the pub's immediate neighbours on Monday night.
Owner Brock Gable has applied to expand the occupancy load of his business to 268 seats from its current maximum of 80. This would include a new 48 seat patio facing LaSalle Avenue.
The business, at 2595 Queensway, is also asking to change the hours of liquor service to 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Sunday. Currently, the earliest liquor can be served at the location is 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. at the latest on Fridays and Saturdays.
City council ultimately sided with the neighbours and turned down the request in a 8-1 vote.
Coun. Dave Wilbur voted in favour of the application as proposed because he supported the location and change of hours but wanted another look at the occupancy load.
"I think it's about protecting the integrity of the neighbourhood," said Coun. Brian Skakun.
According to one set of neighbours, the establishment has been even louder in the last week than in the past.
"We did phone in a noise complaint," said Michael Hilton.
"It's the only noise complaint we've phoned in about that pub and we've lived there for 14 years."
A country bar is a good idea in Prince George, said Chris Kelly, but the expansion is too dramatic.
He also called the proposal to place a seasonal patio on the only side of the pub that faces other residences "in bad taste."
"What wasn't a problem could quickly become one," said Kelly.
Gable has owned the business for a little less than a year and a half.
"Here I am, willing to invest in an old property," said Gable.
The location was formerly known as Steamer's Pub.
The expansion plans came about after the removal of the retail liquor store in the building.
The smaller-seat pub model isn't viable anymore, said Gable.
The planning department had recommended council turn down the application, citing its non conformity with the city's liquor license policy, which prefers similar establishments to have less than 125 seats if they're located outside the central business district.
The increased hours of liquor service were also frowned upon by staff due to previously received complaints about noise and patrons and staff smoking near the rear of the building.
Members of council agreed with the staff recommendation that the size of venue didn't belong in the location.
"For me, it's about the numbers," said Mayor Shari Green.
"It's the Alpine and College Heights Pub combined."
Before the public hearing really got going, Gable was given the opportunity to withdraw his application and resubmit to the provincial liquor control board with a smaller occupancy number.
However, Gable chose to go ahead after hearing that there wasn't a time limit on when he could reapply if council made a decision and turned it down.
