At Monday鈥檚 meeting, Courtenay council approved second reading of a rezoning to allow a liquor store at 1599 Cliffe Ave., next to the new Thrifty Foods that had previously been occupied by Safeway.

The subject property is one of two parcels that comprise the Courtenay Crossing Shopping Centre on the northwest corner of Cliffe and 17th. The property owner intends to convert four retail units into a liquor store, which will employ 12 to 15 people. Hours of operation would be 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

Mayor Larry Jangula noted the proposal isn鈥檛 calling for an additional liquor outlet. The liquor store across the street at the Westerly Hotel will close and be re-located.

Thrifty Foods purchased the liquor store at the Westerly in 2015.

A public hearing about the rezoning will be held Monday, May 1 at 5 p.m. in council chambers.