The Town of Sidney is offering residents two more days to weigh in on a proposed new brewpub near the town centre.
Residents will have until 4 p.m. on Monday to submit written comments on the proposal. There will be a special public participation opportunity on the issue at Monday’s council meeting at 6 p.m.
Small Gods Brewing has applied to the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for a new liquor licence for a pub to be established at 9835 Third St., on the ground floor of the Oceanna apartment complex.
Part of the application requires Sidney to canvass public opinion and include comments on the proposal.
While it will take Sidney’s feedback, it is the provincial branch that will decide if the licence is granted.
The brewpub has asked Sidney for a parking variance that would allow it to use four stalls of underground parking in the building for brewing and storage. It has asked to cut in half the cost of fees in lieu of parking.
Citing the high cost of starting up a new business and the need to accommodate seating on the main floor — making the highest and best use of commercial square footage — Small Gods has requested to vary the required amount collected as payment in lieu of parking from $20,000 per required space to $10,000 per space.
In his submission to council, Small Gods founder Chris Bjerrisgaard said the company’s goal is “to aid in Sidney’s post-pandemic economic recovery by creating a business that will increase jobs, municipal revenue and the enjoyment of local residents,” but the $80,000 fee to offset parking would “increase start-up costs to the point of financial infeasibility.”
He said the pub intends to “offer living-wage compensation packages for all employees,” with hourly workers getting $16 per hour with the expectation they will make an additional $8 to $12 per hour in tips.
The application has the backing of the Sidney Business lmprovement Area Society, which believes its presence will support other businesses and increase foot traffic.
In a report to council, Sidney staff noted the response from the public has been generally positive and most are in favour of a licence being issued. Complaints came from rental tenants in the Oceanna worried about noise, potential odour from the brewing process and a lack of parking.
The pub is proposed for the corner commercial space in the new mixed-use building, built on the site of Sidney’s old fire hall.
To register as a speaker (via streaming) at Monday’s council meeting, email the corporate officer at [email protected] or call 250-656-1139 by 4 p.m. Monday.
To submit a written comment, email [email protected] or drop off a comment at the drop box in the front entrance of Town Hall before 4 p.m. Monday.
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To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: [email protected]
