If you visit your local convenience store in the future for some chips and decide you also want to purchase alcohol, that option — not currently available — might be a possibility.
The zoning bylaw states that licensed liquor establishments have to be attached to restaurants in the C1 and C1B districts. However, Viridian Property Corporation in Moose Jaw wants to change that, so the Getty Foods convenience store near the corner of Wood Lily Drive and Thatcher Drive West can add a standalone retail liquor off-sale to its current operations.
City council agrees with this change, as it unanimously approved a motion during its Aug. 10 regular meeting to amend the zoning bylaw to remove the restaurant requirement from the land use for licensed facilities in the C1 and C1B districts. This change will allow Getty Foods to apply for a discretionary use application to operate a retail liquor store at its C1 property. The change also makes it easier for any business owner to open a standalone liquor store.
City administration recommended the change since the amendment fits within the Official Community Plan.
This amendment aligns with the new land-use trend of co-locating liquor stores with grocery and other convenience-type stores, Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development, said during the meeting.
Coun. Dawn Luhning thought this topic was similar to an issue she dealt with during her first term on council, where a business owner wanted to install a pub in a neighbourhood and residents said no. She noted she was the only councillor to vote in favour of that idea.
The provincial government controls liquor licences and the sale of alcohol, particularly among restaurants, some of which have sold their liquor licences for thousands of dollars, Coun. Brian Swanson pointed out. He wondered if city hall was now allowing corner stores to sell liquor and whether Getty Foods purchased a licence from another business.
“The applicant has acquired a liquor permit to operate from a previous location he owned … ,” Sanson replied. “That business closed, so he acquired a permit through that process.”
Swanson reiterated that the control of liquor is a provincial matter and thought this decision could anger residents in affected neighbourhoods.
A business on South Hill attempted to acquire a liquor licence a few years ago, but the province denied the application, said Coun. Crystal Froese. However, the criteria must be changing since Sobeys has a standalone liquor store and Superstore has a similar establishment inside its building.
Council will have to determine if moving the liquor licence from one business to another will enhance services on the property or encourage more sales, she added.
There are very few standalone liquor stores around, Coun. Chris Warren pointed out. However, since this property owner has access to a provincially approved liquor licence, this request isn’t much different than what the current bylaw says. He will still have to submit a discretionary use application — and have it approved — before he can officially open the standalone liquor store.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 24.
