Alexandra businessman Ian Day, who owns the Ian Day Lifestyle Equipment store in central Alexandra on Tarbert St, wants to build a similar store on the site currently occupied by Dunstan Landscapes.
Central Otago District Council planning consultant David Whitney recommended Mr Day's application for consents required for the project be denied. In his planning report, Mr Whitney cited examples of how the proposed centre would breach rules set out for rural resource areas within the council's district plan, in relation to traffic control and signage, as well as height and colour restrictions.
Mr Whitney said the commercial nature of the development would be contrary to the favoured rural characteristics of the area and, if consent was granted, would create a dangerous precedent for other commercial developments in rural or semi-residential areas.
At yesterday's council hearing panel meeting, Mr Day's planning consultant, Megan Justice, presented the panel with a list of amendments to the initial proposal designed to lessen real and potential effects highlighted by Mr Whitney.
Ms Justice said the main building would be reduced in size and height, car parking would be reduced to 18 parks from 24, and the car park would be moved to the northern section of the site to eliminate the need for earth bunding, which was initially proposed to shield the car park from view of SH8.
Barbecues had been removed from the goods and services to be provided at the centre, after Mr Whitney asked whether the complex could be termed a rural, and not a typical retail, store.
Ms Justice said a clause of the initial proposal allowing complementary businesses to operate from the complex was also removed to increase the council's certainty about the development.
Written approval of the complex had been lodged with the council by six adjoining neighbours, and four of seven submissions received were in support of the development, she said.
Mr Day said he was passionate about Alexandra, had found it difficult to find appropriate sites available within the town, and did not want to move business to Cromwell, clientele from Ranfurly and Roxburgh would not travel to Cromwell, and Alexandra was not too far from strong business in Queenstown and Wanaka.
The panel's decision was expected to be released within 15 working days.
