Massey Theatre has received the city’s support to serve alcohol without having to get a special event permit for each event – and now it’s just waiting on the province.
City council recently considered Massey Theatre’s request for an event-driven liquor primary licence, rather than the special events permits it’s being using for years.
Dilys Huang, a development planner with the city, said the Massey Theatre Society has been applying for individual special event permits from the province for the past number of years.
“The proposed zoning bylaw text amendment that is being considered … would allow a liquor primary licence as a permitted use on the site,” she said.
According to a staff report, city records show no noise complaints or reports of non-compliance with bylaws or violations at this site in the past five years with respect to liquor service.
Following a June 27 public hearing, council approved a zoning amendment bylaw to allow a liquor primary licence as a permitted use at 735 Eighth St.
“The Massey Theatre Society has submitted a concurrent, but separate, events driven liquor primary licence application to the province,” Huang explained. “If the liquor licence application is approved, the society would be able to continue serving liquor during theatre performances and other arts-related events, and they can do so without having to apply for individual special event permits for each event as they have done in the past.”
As of July 11, Massey Theatre hadn’t heard from the province about its application and noted it can be a lengthy process.
Park fees on the rise
Fees for many of New Westminster’s parks and rec services are going up in 2023.
Council has approved a fees and charges amendment bylaw, which includes some fee adjustments for 2023.
“The department reviews its fees and charges and makes recommendations for adjustments annually,” said a report to council. “By adjusting fees marginally each year, the public is not subjected to large increases at any given time.”
According to the staff report, fees and charges adjustments are usually in the range of a zero to five per cent increase. In 2023, rentals are going up three per cent for groups and individuals renting rooms in community centres, arenas, fields and other outdoor venues.
The price of admissions to parks and rec facilities and and registered programs are rising by five per cent.
Filming fees won’t go up in 2023 because council adopted a number of new fees and increases earlier this year, said the report.
“For 2023, the average estimated increase is approximately four per cent across all fees, excluding filming fees,” said the report. “COVID-19 has affected the department’s normal fees and charges process, and planned increases for 2021 and 2022 substantively had a zero per cent increase. It is anticipated that 2023 will see a return to more traditional service and sales levels, with the exception of aquatic and fitness services.”
City sells off parts of roads
The city will receive $1,090,000 as part of the sale of portions of two roads in Queensborough.
On June 27, council considered a road closure and dedication removal bylaw and a zoning amendment (Blackey Street) bylaw that would allow the city to close two portions of road to traffic, remove the dedications of those areas as highway and sell the closed road areas to QBT Properties Limited Partnership for $1,090,000. The roads will then be consolidated with adjacent properties to facilitate the development of ground-level commercial uses, with residential units above in some locations.
Water lot lease extended
A five-year water lot lease in Queensborough will cost the city less than $4,000.
Council has authorized the mayor and city clerk to sign a lease agreement for a water lot in Queensborough that’s home to the Komagata Maru dock. To keep leasing the dock that’s located in front of Port Royal in the Annacis Channel, the city must update its lease agreement with Vancouver Fraser Port Authority every five years.
Under the lease agreement renewal approved by council on June 27, the city will pay $3,337.44 (plus GST) for five years.
City committed to menstrual equity
Low use and minimal vandalism were the findings of the city’s Period Promise pilot project.
In response to the United Way of the Lower Mainland’s Period Promise campaign, the city began providing free menstrual products in civic facilities and to non-profit organizations in May 2021. Civic facilities piloting the program were the Queensborough and Centennial community centres, the youth centre, the main branch of the New Westminster Public Library, and Westminster Pier and Quayside parks.
“Staff reported that there were low use of products and minimal vandalism to the dispensers,” said a report to council. “It is recommended that additional public education and signage be accompanied in future installations to bring more awareness to menstrual equity.”
According to a report to council, parks and engineering staff will be installing dispensers and disposal containers in female and universal washrooms this summer.
“This will continue into 2023, with the ultimate goal of supplying all washrooms (gendered and non-gendered) with free menstrual products,” said a May report to council.
