STRICTER conditions on soundproofing are hoped to improve Byng Street Local Store’s impact on its neighbours after Orange City Council approved an extension on Wednesday night.
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Three residents addressing the council requested the cover over the outdoor dining area be constructed to a commercial soundproof standard, including double-glazed windows and doors, lines marking driveways and parking spaces to remove erratic behaviour.
Councillors approved the double-glazing and soundproofing, as well as lines to mark no parking zones in nearby residents’ driveways.
Windows will be closed after 6pm.
I’m trusting the proponent will work closely with those residents.
- Councillor Glenn Taylor
A kitchen exhaust fan was also voted to move and a performance report will be returned in the first three months of operation.
With residents applauding improvements to the former “glass box”, but still concerned about past operation breaches, councillor Glenn Taylor said the business had already affected neighbours.
“I appeal to the proponent, please take them into account, because I’m trusting the proponent will work closely with those residents,” he said.
Tough coffee – how the DA unfolded:
Councillor Scott Munro was the only councillor in opposition, saying the parking anguish was too much.
“If you expand a business, you don’t do it for nothing, you want to get more people into it, but that’s going to bring a lot more challenges to us,” he said
John Edwards read a letter on behalf of Betty Thomson, the cafe’s immediate neighbour, which pushed for noise measures.
“The single-skin masonry and iron roofing proposed appears to be as soundproof as a garage,” the letter said.
MAP: Where is the Byng Street Local Store ...
Katie Dunlop referred to a recommendation for council parking rangers to monitor illegal parking.
“I presume this is at the expense of all ratepayers – I acknowledge the applicant cannot be held responsible for his customers’ poor parking choices, but had the business been required to pay parking contributions, this could have gone someway towards the cost,” she said.
Peter Basha, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the final design was more sympathetic to the area.
“We note that the number of objections has been greatly reduced from some 27 submissions to seven or eight – this is a reasonable indication that some ground has been made to address the concerns,” he said.
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