A proposed B.C. liquor store could be headed to Kensington Square Shopping Centre, taking council another step closer to having one in every Burnaby community.
The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch has applied for a rezoning application to allow for a 4,600-square-foot store where one used to sit from 1974 to 2006.
According to a staff report, a service gap was identified in North Burnaby when the liquor store closed in 2006.
"In order to address this gap, the framework recommends reestablishment of a neighbourhood scale (liquor distribution branch) outlet at Kensington Square as an interim step to a larger Signature ... liquor store once surrounding population densities increase," said Lou Pelletier, director of planning and building, in his report to council.
At the last meeting, councillors Nick Volkow and Colleen Jordan expressed their concerns about a provincial liquor store opening up shop, as liquor policy changes are looming.
Jordan asked staff to contact the liquor branch to stay abreast on the liquor review the province is currently undergoing.
On Dec. 17, Premier Christy Clark announced the province's liquor policy review will be publicly released in February 2014, which will have about 70 recommendations.
Jordan said she didn't want to see the rezoning application move forward and then be revoked if unforeseen liquor law changes come around.
Volkow noted that he was not in favour of liquor being made available inside grocery stores, which could be one of the recommendations made by the review.
Mayor Derek Corrigan said he's been "pleased" with the progress of liquor store openings coinciding with Burnaby's vision, such as the recent opening of one at Market Crossing, and the proposed store at the SOLO district development across from Brentwood mall.
