A Roslyn boutique day spa and massage therapy business which plans to relocate across the road has been branded a 'massage parlour' in pamphlets generated by opponents.
A Dunedin City Council resource consent hearing yesterday heard the planned had resulted in opponents distributing information describing the business as a "massage parlour" catering to "hedonistic pleasures".
Erban Spa director Milton Weir told the consent committee of Crs Colin Weatherall, Richard Walls and Fliss Butcher the resource consent process had had a negative effect on his business, and resulted in misleading information being disseminated in the community.
The business applied for consent to relocate its business across Highgate to two units in the former Roslyn fire station.
The property is zoned residential.
Despite that, council planner Doug Spittle recommended consent be granted, and he did not change his mind after hearing opposing submissions.
The hearing received 22 submissions, 12 in support, nine opposed and one opposed in part.
Mr Weir told the hearing the business had operated in High-gate for more than two years, and extra space was needed.
Concerns had been raised about car parking, but if the building was used for residential purposes, problems with parking could be worse.
The spa was a business that produced little noise.
Resident Andrew McLean told the hearing he was concerned about the "commercialisation" of the fire station site.
He had lived near the building all his life, and it was a natural amphitheatre that amplified noise.
Mr McLean said he was also concerned the business could grow beyond what was being applied for.
Bill McKinlay said changes to the local activity zone for Roslyn would increase parking problems.
He said the businesses in the village were not "local".
Mr Spittle said he found the applicant's evidence on noise "compelling", and problems with parking were likely to be no worse than if the site was used for residential purposes.
The committee reserved its decision.
