It became a lot easier to find a seat at your favorite watering hole in Delta in 2001.
Council that year endorsed a number of applications to the provincial Liquor Distribution Branch by local pubs to boost their seating capacity.
The province in late 2000 introduced changes to the liquor licensing rules that allowed pubs, lounges and cabarets to apply to increase their licensed capacity to bring them more in line with the building occupancy load.
Applications still required local government approval prior to LCLB consideration.
By May 2001, Delta received a total of 15 applications from 10 pubs and two hotels for an increase to their licensed capacity.
Fire and emergency services, police and other departments had the opportunity to provide comment on each application.
Delta police noted “that it is reasonable to expect that any increase in occupancy could result in an increase in calls for police service.”
Captain's Cove Marina was one applications but withdrew.
Here’s the first few that the city either endorsed or recommended for denial:
Support an increase in the licensed capacity for the Sundowner Pub from 65 to 98 seats.
Support an increase for the Delta Lion Pub & Bistro from 125 to 188 seats.
Support an increase for the Landing Pub & Grill from 80 to 120 seats.
Support an increase for the Whaler Pub from 125 to 181 seats.
Support an increase for Speed's Pub from 65 to 98 seats.
Support an increase for the River House Pub from 65 to 86 seats and for a patio exclusion of 20 seats.
Oppose an increase for the North Delta Inn from 197 to 296 seats (cabaret), from 90 to 135 seats (lounge) and from 292 to 435 seats (pub).
