Erin Haluschak

Record staff

A new taphouse might soon be flowing in Comox.

Following a presentation at Wednesday鈥檚 committee of the whole meeting, Ben Davis told council he envisions a 鈥渨alkable, bike-friendly, family-based taphouse鈥� located at 215 Church St. - the Church Street Tap House. The building is the former site of Island Early Childhood Centre.

鈥淲e want to have somewhere local where we can go. There鈥檚 nothing in Comox; we want to bring that back to town.鈥�

Davis appeared in front of council following the first step - applying for a liquor primary licence.

In accordance with provincial procedures, the Town has been notified by the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) to comment on the liquor primary application.

Council has the option to either 鈥榦pt out鈥� of considering the application or to gather the views of residents in respect of the application and provide a resolution commenting on a variety of criteria including location, hours of liquor service, and capacity and noise.

In a report to council, planner Marvin Kamenz noted the proposal is for a total capacity of 175 people, in accordance with the Town鈥檚 zoning bylaw definition of a pub.

Davis, along with his partners Chris Morrison, Adam Duncan and Craig Grant, noted in their application they propose the existing building be demolished and rebuilt with new materials. That said, Davis told council they are still in preliminary talks, and are open to further discussion about the building itself, if the licence is approved.

Coun. Maureen Swift inquired if beer would be brewed on-site.

鈥淣o - we could bring Tofino, Gladstone, and other local (beers),鈥� replied Davis. 鈥淲e all like drinking beer, but we don鈥檛 know how to make it.鈥�

Council voted to direct staff to gather the views of residents. The issue will return to council in July.