Liquor Store for 16 and Ferry

By 250 News

The map shows the area has become very popular for liquor stores

The developers for  the property at the corner of Hghway 16 and Ferry Avenue in Prince George want  to  have a liquor store as part of the development on  what used to be Recreation Place.

Developer Rob Blackwell says the shopping complex  will be called "Riverpoint Shopping Plaza"  and the liquor store would be operated by "Liquor Depot".  The plan calls for a 3,000 square foot liquor store  that would see 8 people employed to operate the facility.  This is the same plan which calls for the liquor store license of the Pumphouse Pub to be transferred to this site,  and the Liquor Depot would use the license under a 25 year contract with the Pumphouse .

The application before Council this evening called for a text ammendment to  include a liquor store in the C-12A Commercial Comprehensive Zoning District.

The  sign at the corner of Ferry and Highway 16 West  indicates there will be a liquor store included in that development. (photo Opinion250staff)

The staff report supports the ammendment and notes the policy indicates  liquor stores should  be 500 meters apart.  The Westwood  store is 596 meters  away, the new provincial liquor store is 822. 

Blackwell says the presence of a liquor store will  make the project more economically viable and sustainable as  it will allow for a proper "mix" that will offer  "one stop shopping".

Councillor Brian Skakun says he  doesn't like the practice of  allowing liquor stores to move around town, and the density of liquor stores in the area. " I do not think I can support this application."

Councilor Shirley Gratton says she looks forward to the relocation of the license as there are so many family events taking place at the existing Pumphouse site.

Council Don Zurowski says it is all about convenience, and "this is convenient" so he supported the  change.

Councillor Glen Scott is concerned about the concentration of liquor stores in the region.  He mentioned the location as being too close to schools.

Councillor Murry Krause says he supported it because it is not  an increase in  liquor stores  rather a transfer of license.

Councillor  Deborah Munoz believes this location is more in keeping with a retail operation and says the marketplace will decide which ones will survive.

Councilor Don Bassermann  repeated much of what his fellow councilors had to say and Mayor Colin Kinsley  said it is a land use issue  and  said some competition may be a good thing " price, selection that may all come in to play."

In the end, only Councilors, Scott and Skakun  opposed the change..

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