The day was set aside for McDonald’s representatives to provide details of their application and defence before the commissioning panel.
The panel, made up of chief commissioner Helen Atkins and commissioners Lisa Mein and Robert Scott, heard discussions that shifted between the significance of the location’s rural zoning and the impacts such a development would pose on Mt Iron, as well as the potential rise in waste and traffic congestion.
One of the fundamental issues debated was if the location could truly be considered rural.
McDonald’s’ legal representative, Jeremy Brabant, argued the location was closer to being urban since it had "development all around it".
He referred to the urban nature of the State Highway 6 road which had streetlights and a newly built roundabout.
Landscape consultant Paul Smith also made the argument that Wanaka was urbanising, saying the location was better described as "peri-urban", an area that had both urban and rural characteristics.
He also mentioned the proposed high-density residential areas that, if approved, would be in the same relative location as the proposed McDonald’s.
Although the plans for this project have not been made public, making the details of the construction unclear, Mr Smith argued such a complex of residential areas would mean the location could be considered more urban.
The other substantial issue was the impact the proposal had on the view of Mt Iron.
The restaurant is set to be built at the base of Mt Iron, which people see when they enter Wanaka via the Wanaka-Luggate Highway, but opposing submitters say in its proposed location it would be an eyesore affecting one of the town’s most visited natural landscapes.
Mr Brabant responded to that argument by highlighting the vast beauty of the mountain.
"The magnitude of Mt Iron will be there with or without McDonald’s".
McDonald’s architect Vanessa Liu said changes to the proposed building had been made as a means of adapting to the local environment, including a reduction in the size of the building, shortening the height of the McDonald’s sign and using a muted colour palette.
The commissioners also took into consideration issues around increased litter and traffic control. Mr Scott asked Mr Brabant whether waste management had to be a more pressing consideration when considering a more rural environment.
Mr Brabant asserted the restaurant would provide the necessary waste disposal facilities, but once customers left the eatery it would be out of its hands.
Transport consultant Todd Langwell addressed concerns over traffic safety by assuring the commissioners the roundabout provided a safe entry to the restaurant carpark and 24/7 drive-through.
The hearing continues until tomorrow, with submitters and council members voicing their opinions and concerns again today.
— Rawan Saadi
