Council debates and postpones decision on extension of hours at local pub to 2 a.m.

All we're asking for is a level playing field, stated Sage Pub General Manager Allan Rede-kopp to Osoyoos Town Council at the May 2 council meeting.
Redekopp was a delegate at the meeting to request council allow the Sage Pub to change their closing time from the current 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. He added that both the Liquor Control Board and the RCMP support their proposal.
Letters of intent had gone out to neighbouring property owners and so far only one letter of opposition has come from within the 30 metre zone required by law to be notified.
A few other letters of opposition to the extended hours have come from a nearby business owner and private citizens.
Those opposed to the extended hours cited concerns about noise from patrons leaving the pub and squealing their tires as they leave the area.
Another complaint was that of pub patrons urinating on the street and the beach.
In considering the potential for increased noise, the impact on the community and the views of the residents, council decided that further information was needed before they could make a decision.
Councillor Davreux made a motion not to approve the change of hours because of the pub's proximity to residents in the neighbourhood.
Councillors Fraser and Flintoft expressed similar reservations, stating they would like to see more letters of support from people in the area before they would be comfortable recommending the extension of hours.
Councillor Shields said he had mixed feelings, and pointed out that although there had been some opposition, it hadn't been a lot. Perhaps, he wondered, it meant that those in support were not saying anything.
Shields said he would tend to vote in favour of the extension, but on a temporary basis at first, to see how the change would affect the neighbourhood.
The motion was then tabled until further information could be gathered. It seemed unclear to council if a temporary license could be granted.
We run a clean business and are good corporate citizens, Redekopp said at the meeting.
He added that many people stay in the nearby motels because of their proximity to the pub.
He understands and shares council's concerns about noise and assured them Sage Pub employees do everything in their power to control the noise. Extra staff have been hired to move people out of the area as smoothly as possible.
We are unfairly labelled as a guilty party for all noise in the area, Redekopp said, noting that some people who never .et foot in the pub will party and drink on the beach or in the motels until all hours of the night.
After the council meeting, Redekopp gathered hundreds of names of support on a petition. He said he would be back at the next public meeting to present the petition to council.
At the end of the day, we're only talking about one hour, Redekopp said in frustration.
He hoped council would consider giving his pub the same courtesy they gave to the Owl Pub.
Recently, the Owl Pub had applied and was approved for the same extension of hours.