Mosgiel says 'No' to McDonald's

Residents living near the proposed site of a McDonald's restaurant and McCafe in Hartstonge Ave, Mosgiel, are opposed to the plan, worried about it attracting an "undesirable element", its late opening hours and it creating noise, traffic, litter and smell.

The Dunedin City Council has received 18 submissions, 17 opposed and one partially opposed, on the application to construct a 474sq m restaurant, cafe, indoor children's playground, parking, drive-through, signs and landscaping.

It was proposed to open seven days a week, from 6am to 11pm, with closing time extended to 1am on Saturdays and Sundays.

The site, at 14 Hartstonge Ave next to the New World supermarket, is zoned large-scale retail in the Dunedin district plan and the proposal is a non-complying activity.

Residents in the area were mainly elderly, enjoying retirement and did not need the interruption of such a proposal, Reid Ave resident Dorothy Denniston said in her submission.

Reid Ave resident William Kingan said in his submission, he and his wife were elderly and expected the site of the proposed restaurant to be used for residential development.

"I do not think a drive-through restaurant is appropriate for the area as it will attract an undesirable element, meaning more noise, vandalism, litter and boy racers."

He was also concerned about any potential increase in traffic down a service lane alongside the property.

In her submission, Carole Stewart said she objected strongly to the opening hours, with 1am a "ridiculous" time to close when no other businesses in town were open to that hour.

"It'll be an excuse for people to hang about creating a nuisance for adjacent housing."

Malcolm and Lynda Anngow, who live next to the proposed site, said in their submission their home was only 3m from the proposed "high-volume" inward driveway.

The proposed illuminated sign would cause glare in their living room and bedroom, and the late hours would mean an "unacceptable" level of noise from young people congregating in the area.

The Taieri Community Facilities Trust playground committee opposed the application on the grounds it would increase visitors to the park opposite the proposed site, resulting in concerns about safety, lighting, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.

New World owner Foodstuffs submitted it supported the plan only in part because the proposed site configuration meant New World car parks would provide quicker access to McDonald's than the restaurant's own parks.

Wenita Forest Products also opposed the application on the grounds it would introduce more traffic and more demand for parking in Hartstonge and Reid Aves.

It also had concerns about litter and odour.

Council staff said a date for the hearing of submissions had not been set and would not be until August.