Drysdale could be home to a new fast food takeaway outlet, but the plans have left the community divided.
Toronton Pty Ltd recently applied to the City of Greater Geelong for a planning permit to build a KFC store at 57-59 Murradoc Road.
The planning report indicates the project would see a new 294 square metre building with seating for 41 people built, along with a 31-space car park.
“The proposal provides 31 car spaces which is well in excess of the requirement to provide 12 car spaces,” the report state.
“The KFC is located toward the eastern edge of the Drysdale township and will primarily service the township of Drysdale. Therefore it is assumed that 80 per cent of movements approaching and departing the site will be to and from the west.
“Vehicle access has been designed in accordance with traffic engineering advice. It includes two new vehicle crossings designed and sited to accommodate the anticipated vehicle movements to and from the site.”
Under the City’s planning scheme, the project will also be required to provide six bicycle parking spaces.
The application also indicated the store would have a drive-through, loading bay, an 8.5 metre illuminated sign and operating hours of 9.30am to midnight seven days per week.
None of the signage will face residential properties, the report said, and there would be little impact to the street’s amenity.
The [Drysdale Structure Plan and Urban Design Framework] seeks to improve the functionality and appearance of the light industrial/commercial precinct on Murrdoc Road. The proposed KFC restaurant will be a significant improvement to the amenity of the precinct,” the report stated.
“There is a residential zone at the rear of the site. A two-metre wide landscape strip across the rear boundary will assist in separating and protecting this zone from the activities occurring on the site.
“It is noteworthy that the drive-through order point is some 40m from the rear boundary whilst the loading bay, building, bin storage and drive through pick up are further away from the rear boundary in the front half of the site.
“These measure will protect the residential zone from any impacts arising from noise, lightspill and odour.”
The application has been shared on social media, with Drysdale residents split on whether it was good for the town.
Commenters on a post shared on the Drysdale and Clifton Springs First Response Facebook page were divided, with many sharing their belief that the construction of the store would ruin the small-town appeal of Drysdale.
“Why do the large take away places have to spoil every little town? Such an eyesore and their food is dreadful!!! Better to have the local smaller places,” one person said.
However others were more supportive, with increased youth employment a major factor.
“Anything that brings jobs for our kids is great. After school jobs prepare teens for the real world rather than the education bubble alone,” another person said.
Anyone interested can comment on the proposal on the City of Greater Geelong’s Have Your Say website.
