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Tasmania
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A group in Claremont are getting on the front foot to fight plans for a McDonalds in a residential zone, with many concerned the site planned for the fast food franchise is completely wrong.
Some residents received letters from Ratio Consultants, informing them of the plans for Lady Clark Ave and its intention to lodge a development application.
The site is in a residential zone and would require a planning scheme amendment.
“We are confident that our proposal will deliver an improved outcome for the site, which is currently under-utilised,” planning associate Justin Scriha said in the letter.
“We are also confident that the proposal will not unreasonably detract from the amenity of the adjoining and surrounding residential uses.
Claremont resident Pauline Elliott disagreed.
“My bedroom overlooks the site, I’ll be looking at a 12 metre high big ‘M’ sign if this goes ahead,” Ms Elliott said.
“The noise and the light and the litter and the odour … it will impact my house quite significantly.
“My main concern is its zoned for housing … look where all the houses are all around it.”
Ms Elliot said residents would suffer.
“My father who lives next door to me on the main road, he lives one house closer … I don’t understand how he’s ever going to get out of his driveway again,” she said.
Ms Elliott said the area already had fast food franchises nearby.
“There’s a KFC, there’s a McDonalds at Bridgewater and Moonah, there used to be one in Glenorchy but it shut down, I don’t know why,” Ms Elliot said.
“It’s not that I’m against McDonalds, it should go down at Claremont Village in the commercial precinct or somewhere else, I don’t think it should be in a residential precinct
The site sits a few doors away from the Lady Clark retirement village.
Asset co-ordinator Wayne Flanagan said a McDonalds would exacerbate problems faced by residents.
“We have a current issue and have had for years of youth coming through the village from the top of Claremont, using the Lady Clark Village as access to get down here,” Mr Flanagan said.
“I’ve been with the village for four years, in that time we’ve had ten cameras installed, we’ve had police called on many occasions, we’ve had residents abused and threatened by youths coming through on their scooters and bikes.
“If a McDonalds were to come here, we believe there would be an increase in foot traffic from children and youths in the area, trying to get to and from the McDonalds.”
Claremont House is also close to the site.
“It would have a detrimental impact on Claremont house,” owner David Kernke said.
“We have a covenant on the property that restricts us from planting trees and whatever so people can have that view corridor in to see the house and its surrounds
“If we had a McDonalds here, you’d be looking through the golden arches which would not be good.
On Monday the Glenorchy council received a number of questions around the plans, but mayor Bec Thomas said documents had not been lodged with the council.
“Should it get to that point where an application is made, there will be an opportunity to provide formal representation,” Ms Thomas said on Monday.
“We’re hearing the concerns and receiving a lot of emails from the community and we do acknowledge those concerns, at the moment there is nothing before council.”
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