PORT COQUITLAM, BC - Jan. 25, 2024... More customers will be able to sample the wares at Port Coquitlam craft liquor establishments following planned changes to city regulations next week.
Following a public hearing on Jan. 23, City Council approved zoning bylaw changes that would allow liquor manufacturers with tasting rooms to increase their seating from 50 to 75. The City fast-tracked the approval process at a special council meeting on Dec. 5 to give the bylaw changes first and second reading.
"Our local breweries and distilleries have been popular additions in our community and to our local economy. Increasing seating capacity is a benefit to Port Coquitlam residents, visitors and businesses," Mayor Brad West said. "We continue to look for ways to make Port Coquitlam even more friendly to both emerging and established industries and encourage everyone to check out all that our community has to offer."
The City launched Port Coquitlam's craft liquor industry with bylaw changes in 2016 that permitted liquor manufacturers to set up tasting lounges in industrial areas for the first time.
Seven craft alcohol businesses have opened in Port Coquitlam over the past several years, with three located on the south side of Lougheed Highway (Patina Brewing, Taylight Brewing and PoCo Brothers Brewing) and four in the north-side's Fremont Village area (Northpaw Brewing Co., Tinhouse Brewing, Boardwalk Brewing and NiceLife Cocktails). Customer demand is high, sometimes leading to lineups. Increasing seating capacity will help to alleviate that.
In 2018 Council doubled the lounge seating capacity to 50 and relaxed parking limits (providing they didn't impact neighbours), and in 2020 extended lounge closing times.
To date, the City has received no complaints about the impact or operations of the businesses.
Another tasting lounge is set to open this year in Port Coquitlam and the City is hoping to attract more breweries and distilleries to the area.
"There are so many great business opportunities here," said Mayor West. "The craft beer scene continues to grow here and we will continue to work to remove barriers and modernize our bylaws to make it much easier for brewers to be successful."
Staff recommended that the allowable seating be increased to 75 to ensure the lounges remain an accessory use in the industrial areas, and to minimize any impact on the surrounding businesses.
No changes to City parking regulations are planned, which means the establishments are still required to provide one parking space for every five seats. Instead, staff proposed a new City policy to allow Council to consider reducing that requirement on a case-by-case basis, recognizing that peak times for liquor establishments are different than those of their industrial neighbours
The seating capacity increase is effective immediately.
The changes are among a number of measures Port Coquitlam has taken to support local businesses. For information about City services for businesses, visit the online information hub at portcoquitlam.ca/bizhub.
BC Ale Trail
Five Port Coquitlam craft brewery businesses are part of the 11 breweries featured in a self-guided itinerary produced by the BC Ale Trail, a project of Destination British Columbia and the BC Craft Brewers Guild. The BC Ale Trail includes 21 self-guided itineraries highlighting more than 180 B.C. craft breweries and the natural landscapes surrounding them. The North of the Fraser Ale Trail showcases craft breweries in Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, New Westminster and Burnaby along with nearby restaurants, outdoor activities, accommodations and more at bcaletrail.ca or through the BC Ale Trail app.
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Media Contact
Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email [email protected]