News Release

Permit Issued for Hooters Restaurant in Dartmouth

(Tuesday, December 11, 2007)-- A building permit has been issued for a Hooters- branded restaurant on Main Street in Dartmouth-- with certain provisions.

District 6 Councillor Andrew Younger said today he has been advised that HRM staff are now satisfied the municipal planning and development conditions to conduct renovations and open a restaurant will be met.

A stop work order was issued at the site last week after the applicants failed to get the necessary permit and meet its requirements prior to beginning renovations. The site is among those in the Main Street Business District which was rezoned this year by Harbour East Community Council to less intensive business zoning, aimed at promoting mixed use development.

Councillor Younger said a number of issues of concern were raised by HRM staff, and area businesses and residents, about the proposed restaurant which required design revision and / or clarification by the applicants prior to a permit being issued.

The Councillor said primary among the concerns of HRM staff was the limited parking on the site. In order to meet parking requirements in the Dartmouth Land Use By-law for a restaurant, the applicant will not be permitted to use the bottom floor as part of business operation. The restaurant will be limited to the main (or top) floor of the building unless additional parking can be secured.

"To be clear, no one at HRM is suggesting that the Hooters- brand is adult entertainment in the manner of a strip club," says Councillor Andrew Younger (East Dartmouth - The Lakes). "The definitions which HRM have reviewed in the Land Use By-Law have been applied to all businesses in Dartmouth since 2006. This issue has caused confusion for some who seem to believe either I or the municipality are trying to label Hooters as adult entertainment."

He added "While some people have suggested that I or the municipality are treating Hooters differently because of the notoriety around the brand this could not be further from the truth. To be clear, this is an issue of a business choosing not to get a permit from the municipality prior to beginning work. Nothing more. Nothing less. In the end, a permit has been issued through the usual process and this application was measured against the same regulations and rules as any other application for a restaurant would be on the same site."

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Councillor Andrew Younger
(902) 476-1727