Lower Lonsdale craft brewery gets licence to open lounge

North Vancouver is topping up their brewery district.

City of North Vancouver council unanimously supported North Point Brewing Co.’s application to go from sample-centre to licensed lounge at a Nov. 4 meeting.

However, the ability to pour full glasses comes with a few conditions. The 266 East First St. brewery is obliged to keep the music off the patio and to close their garage doors by 10 p.m.

“I think it’s a nice addition to the neighbourhood,” Coun. Angela Girard said.

A handful of neighbours and businesses within a 40-metre radius of the brewery expressed concerns to the city about noise and parking. However, city staff suggested parking will not be an issue as most craft brewery customers don’t drive.

The noise is expected to be minimal “if the business is managed appropriately,” according to a city staff report.

The brewery is in a light industrial zone but has residential neighbours on its north side. As the front door and patio are on East First Street, staff do not anticipate “any impact” on the homes across the back lane.

The brewery has 64 indoor seats, 14 spots on the patio and would operate between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eighty per cent of beverages sold must be North Point originals.

City staff pledged to monitor the lounge with the understanding the city could add conditions to North Point’s business licence “should issues arise.”

Coun. Holly Back did not attend the meeting.