Food outlets attracted to precinct

Dunedin's warehouse precinct is fast becoming a restaurant and cafe precinct.

Two resource consents have been issued for food outlets in Vogel St in the last two months, meaning possibly three will soon be vying for business.

Both consents were approved without hearings, despite being either discretionary or non-complying activities under the city's district plan, as the zoning for the area is expected to alter to reflect changing activities.

One resource consent is for Precinct Food, a cafe and catering kitchen that opened recently at 125 Vogel St.

The other is for a cafe-restaurant at 22 Vogel St, which was granted approval this month, but which the owner said yesterday was still in the planning stages.

The two food outlets would join the already established Vogel St Kitchen.

Asked if the Dunedin City Council intended for such activities there, heritage policy planner Dan Windwood said: ''Not originally, but we are now.''

In the existing district plan restaurants were a non-complying activity, as the area was zoned for large-scale retail.

But in the second generation district plan (2GP), which is expected to be finalised in September, the warehouse precinct zone ''allows for a wide range of activities which include restaurants''.

''We have adapted to the change there.

''That use fits with the wider vision for the area.''

Mr Windwood said the new businesses would bring a lot more life and activity to the area.

Precinct Food owner Liz Christensen said the precinct attracted her as there were a lot of people working there, and it was a ''creative, edgy area''.

The outlet was awarded a variation to an existing consent in late May, which agreed to minor changes to the building, a discretionary activity under the district plan.

Mrs Christensen said her business, which had moved from Balmacewen Rd in Helensburgh, included a cafe and catering kitchen, as well as an area she planned to run as a ''concept function space''.

More food outlets in the area did not concern her, as the more there were, the more they could work in collaboration and create a place people wanted to go.

''I definitely see it as collaboration, not competition.

''The more places that are here, the more it will get known as a food hub, which is good.''

This month, the council granted consent for a cafe-restaurant at the rear of 22 Vogel St, a non-complying activity.

A plan showed a food caravan hooked up to a vehicle inside the building.

The cafe would initially be open for limited hours, but the intention was it would later operate from 7am until 10am, seven days a week.

The resource consent document said the format of a caravan used as a food preparation area was unique, would be difficult to achieve in the central city, and was more appropriate in the warehouse precinct, which had more floor area.

''The 'loss' of this activity in the central business area will not generate significant issues as there is ample commercial activity of a similar nature within the central city.''

Conditions include a maximum of 40 seated guests at any one time in the licensed restaurant.

Business owner Reece Turfus said it was too early to comment, as it was still in the planning stages.

david.loughrey@odt.co.nz