McDonald's hearing heats up

Mcdonald's Restaurants took its proposal for a Mosgiel restaurant to a Dunedin City Council resource consent hearing yesterday, claiming the effect on nearby residents would be minor, and much less than could occur in what is a large-scale retail zone.

Resource management consultant Matthew Norwell said he had "a great deal of sympathy" for the residents, but the committee had to take into account what was actually allowed.

"Put another way, the sites of those and the adjoining neighbours are not residentially zoned, and therefore the neighbours cannot expect the same level of amenity as if they were located within a pristine residential environment."

But opponents, mostly residents of the Hartstonge Ave area, hit back towards the end of the day, showing videos of the sort of noise a McDonald's restaurant in Auckland generated, and told the resource consent committee of the effect the restaurant would have on their lives.

Yesterday was the first day of a two-day hearing before a committee of Dunedin councillors Colin Weatherall, Paul Hudson, Andrew Noone, and Mosgiel Taieri Community Board member Bill Feather.

Counsel for a group of residents opposing the development, Raelene Kelly, attempted to force an adjournment of the hearing before it began.

She argued council planner Karen Bain's report did not take into account a 2005 council decision to allow a residential subdivision on the site.

After a short adjournment, committee chairman Colin Weatherall rejected Ms Kelly's call.

He said the committee would ask for information about the consent, but it was charged with making a decision, and would be able to do so.

Counsel for McDonald's, Grant Hewison, said in response to concerns that had been raised, there had been changes, including a reduction to the size of signs and a play area that would be inside rather than outside.

The area would be locked when closed so cars could not access the car park, and an "acoustic fence" built.

Mr Hewison said there was no credible evidence to support the claims made by residents about noise, boy racer problems and other anti-social behaviour, and no reason to restrict opening hours because of noise.

McDonald's director of development Christopher Leslie told the committee the business would employ the equivalent of 40 full-time staff, with about 65 people on the payroll, which would total about $700,000.

Sites on Gordon Rd had been considered, but they were either too small, too expensive, or in residential zones.