It乌鸦传媒檚 something city council was likely not expecting to hear during a public hearing regarding a liquor licence application for a brew pub - a plea to consider the social impacts of addiction.
Council was asked at the Apr. 18 hearing to support the application by Buffalo Rouge Brewing to the province.
During public comments Devan Gaffney, appearing via video, asked council to find a balance when approving establishments that serve liquor.
He said readily available research shows alcohol is linked to domestic violence, public disorder, impaired judgement, as well as an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviour including drugs.
乌鸦传媒淚f we乌鸦传媒檙e going to be bringing in another brewery, another winery乌鸦传媒hat about the addiction supports that are publicly available,乌鸦传媒� he asked.
Gaffney, who explained that he recently lost someone close to him to addiction, wanted council to consider the impact of alcohol and drugs on society.
乌鸦传媒淚f we start to brand Kelowna as brewery central, as wine central乌鸦传媒 think there needs to be a balance so we can be helping the people out there who are dying.乌鸦传媒�
Gaffney said that he was not against or in favour of Buffalo Rouge乌鸦传媒檚 application, and added he would likely visit when it opened.
He then asked for a moment of silence which Mayor Tom Dyas granted.
Development Planning Manager Terry Barton was asked by Coun. Gord Lovegrove to comment on any public concerns regarding the city乌鸦传媒檚 brewery district.
乌鸦传媒淚 would agree with the speaker that the overall popularity of the brewpubs over the last few years has been significant,乌鸦传媒� said Barton. 乌鸦传媒淲e get a lot of feedback that people appreciate these types of facilities, notwithstanding some of the consequences that were mentioned.乌鸦传媒�
In referring to Gaffney乌鸦传媒檚 comments, Lovegrove said the topic could be a discussion on another day with staff.
乌鸦传媒淭hey are appropriate comments made about a much wider social issue,乌鸦传媒� added Lovegrove. 乌鸦传媒淎t some point, it would be nice to take a step back乌鸦传媒bout the wider issues that we乌鸦传媒檙e dealing with in our community乌鸦传媒nd is one of our council priorities.乌鸦传媒�
Council voted unanimously to support the licence application.
READ MORE: Affordable housing sways Kelowna council on townhouse project
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.
