Sites for 2023 Alcohol Consumption in Public Plazas

Motion 14 · Council Meeting, April 11, 2023

On Consent

Summary

Council is asked to approve seven public plaza locations for the 2023 Alcohol Consumption in Public Plazas Program, expanding on successful pilots run since 2020.
The program will offer two streams: year-round (May 15, 2023 to May 14, 2024) and seasonal, based on requests from plaza steward partners.
Year-round sites include the Main & 21st Neighbourhood Plaza and the Cambie & 17th Neighbourhood Plaza; all sites must provide accessible washroom facilities as a key eligibility requirement.
The program has broad public support (92% approval in a 2021 survey) and no health or safety concerns were raised by VPD or Vancouver Coastal Health in previous years.
Staff also consulted with VANDU and the Eastside Illicit Drinkers Group for Education (EIDGE) regarding a peer-staffed outdoor drinking space in the Downtown Eastside as a harm-reduction measure, as directed by Council in 2022.
A bylaw amendment to the City Land Regulation By-law No. 8735 is required to formally designate the approved locations as places where liquor may be consumed.