City council gave its nod of approval to an expansion of Steamers Pub, despite opposition from LaSalle Avenue residents.
The proposed expansion will see a 20-seat patio area added at the rear of the pub, as well as a small increase to the number of seats inside. City council approved a zoning variance for the construction and supported the liquor license application.
The issue was first brought before council in May, but council ordered the matter to be brought back to receive additional information about parking concerns raised at the previous hearing.
LaSalle Avenue resident Elaine Rimmer said she's heard horror stories for residents living near other pubs with patios. Issues included public urination, noise, outdoor speakers, drunk and disorderly patrons and other issues, she said.
"I want to sit on my patio and not be exposed to people who have been drinking too much," Rimmer said.
Owners of three other homes on the street wrote city council to voice their opposition to the expansion.
Pub manager Bonnie Little said the patio would help mitigate noise concerns from pub patrons smoking outside.
"The noise would be considerably reduced by building a patio, which would have walls of stone and glass," Little said. "[And] in the year I've been manager there we've never been visited by city bylaw services regarding noise."
A parking assessment done on June 4, June 7 and June 8 found the peak parking requirement was 11 to 14 stalls, even on Stanley Cup playoff nights. The pub's proposed 20-stall lot was found adequate to meet the need, the report found.
Coun. Garth Frizzell said if residents do have issues with the operation this pub, or any other, there are means for the city to respond. Some of those means include bylaw services, business licenses and the Liquor Control Board.
"Significant concerns were brought up and I want to let the people of Prince George know there is remedies," Frizzell said.
