A plan to develop a cafe and homeware store in the former Rogan McIndoe building in Vogel St, Dunedin, is one step closer to being realised.
The Dunedin City Council has granted resource consent for the project being planned by developer Lawrie Forbes at 76 Vogel St.
''We're very happy with the result,'' Mr Forbes said.
A hearing was held last month to discuss the proposal to create a cafe, restaurant and homeware store, with possible function space upstairs.
As the historic building sits in a large-scale retail zone and the business was not technically allowed, and it was also proposed to make changes to a building in a heritage precinct, consent was needed.
The council was concerned allowing an out-of-zone activity to establish on the site could undermine the strategy and integrity of the district plan.
The committee of councillors Andrew Noone (chairman), Lee Vandervis and David Benson-Pope granted consent based on amended conditions.
They commented in the decision the proposal was a ''good fit'' with a developing heritage precinct and was not contrary to the plan.
''The proposal will enhance the general amenity of the area by extensive earthquake strengthening and renovation work.''
A new condition required ground-floor bifolding windows be resized to align with existing windows on the Vogel St frontage.
During the hearing, Mr Forbes' team expressed concerns that reducing window size would restrict light getting into the building. However, yesterday he said that had already been figured into the building's design.
A condition proposed by the city council to limit the hours the function room could operate was not accepted by the hearing committee, which did not want to see its use restricted.
The committee also added other conditions, including requiring the retail aspect of the store to be restricted to retro furniture and soft furnishings, and restricting the size of the business' sign facing the Jetty St overbridge to 1.8m by 1.8m.
Mr Forbes said some brick work on the building was begun this week but major works would not begin until building consent had been granted.
He hoped the renovation would be completed by about September and the business being run by tenant Riah McLean would be open ''well before'' Christmas.
