Truck 59 Ciderhouse was hoping to pour more pints and host more events year-round鈥攂ut not everyone in the neighbourhood raised a glass to the idea.
The cidery at 3887 Brown Road, operated by Terrabella Wineries, applied for both a lounge area endorsement and a special events area endorsement city council on May 13. If approved, it would be allowed to serve alcohol daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and host more frequent events throughout the year.
The changes would also allow Truck 59 to fully use its indoor space as a year-round tasting lounge and expand its footprint outdoors.
Some neighbours wrote letters praising the atmosphere they say the cidery brings to the community.
鈥淭he music, events and entertainment during the summer is enjoyed by many of us in the Monticello complex,鈥� wrote one resident from the 55+ building located across the street.
However, other Monticello residents expressed concern that an increase in events could bring more late-night noise and rowdy behaviour.
鈥淲e are seniors and having a business operating outside our bedroom windows until late each evening is grossly unreasonable,鈥� one letter stated. 鈥淲e鈥檙e forced to listen to inebriated adults and their desire to 鈥榣ay rubber鈥� while speeding down Brown Road.鈥�
The Monticello strata council echoed those concerns, citing increased traffic and safety risks for pedestrians鈥攑articularly older residents. They urged the city to prioritize installing proper sidewalks along Brown Road if the application is approved.
The strata council at nearby Linden Estates also raised concerns around increased risk of impaired driving with more events and alcohol service.
Another resident did not oppose the liquor licence change, but called on the city to address what they said are ongoing issues in the area.
鈥淏rown Road is used as a drag strip, especially in the summer,鈥� they wrote. 鈥淏ecause of all the cars parked along the road, it becomes very hard to see anyone crossing. These are usually older citizens out walking their dogs.鈥�
Supporters of the cidery鈥檚 proposal also called on the city to improve street lighting and sidewalks along Brown Road, especially as events extend into the evening hours.
Parking was a common concern. Some resident noted that past events at the cidery created spillover, with cars parked up and down Brown Road.
鈥淚鈥檝e been at a large event at this particular winery鈥攑arking was a nightmare,鈥� said Councillor Tasha Da Silva. 鈥淭he roads were packed鈥攖here were people parked everywhere.鈥�
City staff noted that infrastructure upgrades to the area may be included as part of a future development project.
Councillor Rick de Jong expressed reservations about the lounge expansion.
鈥淧articularly when you read through some of the letters that we鈥檝e received where people are already experiencing noise complaints and traffic issues.鈥�
Mayor Gord Milsom was supportive of the applications.
鈥淚f there are parking issues I鈥檓 sure they are going to address them,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is a good neighbour bylaw in place. I think this would be a positive step overall for the community.鈥�
Council voted on the applications separately. The lounge endorsement passed, however, Councillors de Jong, Da Silva, and Carol Zanon voted against the special events endorsement, which would allow for more events and larger attendance. It was defeated in a 3-2 vote with Milsom and Coun. Stephen Johnston in favour.
鈥淭hey can still have events鈥攖hey鈥檙e just going to be limited to 10, and they鈥檙e going to limit it to 150 people instead of unlimited numbers of people,鈥� de Jong explained.
The mayor disagreed.
鈥淛ust because we heard from basically less than 10 people that are concerned about the actual noise impact鈥攖hat鈥檚 not the reason for me to vote no,鈥� he said.
Coun. Jason Friesen was absent, and Coun. Garrett Millsap recused himself from the discussion and vote, citing a conflict of interest as he does business with Terrabella.
The lounge area endorsement application will be forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch which has final approval.
