Application deferred until after election

A development application that would see a McDonalds fast food outlet built in Umina was deferred at the request of the applicant at Gosford Council's meeting of Tuesday, August 7.

The application, which was recommended for approval by Gosford Council's director of environment and planning Ms Colleen Worthy-Jennings, was deferred to the first available meeting following the Council election.

The site, which joins onto the redeveloped Caltex Service Station on the corner of West St and Ocean Beach Rd, consists of five single regular blocks with frontage to Ocean Beach Rd.

Each lot is currently occupied by single houses which would be demolished.

The development would see a seating capacity of 50 seats inside the restaurant, 25 seats outside and 12 in the party room.

The building would visually appear as a standard corporate McDonalds building and would have 27 car parking spaces.

The restaurant would employ between 100 and 120 part time and full time jobs.

It would be open from 5am to 10pm Sunday to Thursday and until 11pm for drive through.

From Friday to Saturday it would be opened from 5am until midnight and until 1am for drive through.

A total of 160 separate submissions and petitions were received containing over 2000 signatures.

Ms Worthy-Jennings said in her report that although a number of submissions and some signatories on the petitions were from those residing in the immediate locality, most of the objections were from individuals not residing in the immediate locality.

Submissions raised rezoning issues, traffic issues, economic issues, tree removal, streetscape issues, social issues and residential amenity issues.

Submissions of support were also received which related to employment by McDonalds, contribution of money to charity and local sporting facilities, a boost for the local economy and the provision of healthy options.

Gosford Council Agenda ENV.67, 7 Aug 2012