Editor:
Re: ‘Late info’ delays decision on councillor’s pub, June 27.
On behalf of owners at Oceanview Terrace on Marine Drive, this letter is in response to the Sandpiper Pub’s application to increase liquor capacity by 69 per cent.
As neighbours, we are concerned on the implications of allowing more patrons into the pub. We believe increasing the number to be served alcohol will dramatically impact our neighborhood.
We also feel disheartened to know that the owners of the pub are lobbying their friends, acquaintances and customers to support the application.
The article confirmed the city received 87 written comments regarding the application, 31 letters without indicating an address or city, and 50 addressed letters which were in ‘support’ of the application.
It begs to ask how many of the letters in support of the application were actually from East Beach residents. These numbers prove the owners of the Sandpiper have obviously swayed votes by talking to their friends and acquaintances, in addition to blatantly asking customers to submit their support on their Facebook page, along with an offer to those supporters to join in celebrating at the pub after the public hearing.
Due to the issue of noise and disturbances that routinely occur at pub closing, our past experience has not been a positive one for the residents in our building.
We also want to express our appreciation to the mayor and council for delaying a decision on the application until July 15.
Over the next few weeks, we hope more residents will speak up on the impacts that would result from increasing the liquor-licence capacity and making this less of a popularity contest.
Sharon Coates, White Rock
• • •
I am not a patron of the Sandpiper Pub, but I am a long-time resident of White Rock.
I remember the first owners of the Sandpiper, brothers I believe, who opened it as a traditional English pub complete with lace curtains, carpets and a sign that read, “No shoes, No shirt, No service.”
The building directly behind was owned by Larry and Bar-Jean Colby. Larry was a typical White Rock character and member and leader of what was then the White Rock Business Bureau.
It was a large building divided into a private home, rental suites and a ballet studio below. I took my daughter there for ballet lessons during her elementary school years.
I also became a good friend with one of Larry and Bar-Jean’s tenants – another White Rock character.
Between them, the Colbys provided secure and reasonable rentals for financially vulnerable elders. My friend was a retired school counsellor and had lived there long before her retirement after a marriage breakdown.
The property was sold after Larry’s death and the building was demolished and new housing built.
When David Bradshaw – who spoke in opposition at last week’s public hearing – bought his very expensive home, the Sandpiper was already there, though having undergone several ownerships.
The trains across Marine Drive are also very noisy, their piercing whistles sounding night and day, clearly audible to all residents of White Rock, even those of us who live uptown. When you buy a house behind an existing pub, of course there’s going to be late-night noise. Just ask the residents of Victoria Avenue behind what used to be the Ocean Beach Hotel.
I am neither for nor against the Sandpiper expansion, but I cannot tolerate the unfairness of Bradshaw’s complaint.
Pat Patton, White Rock
