WHY PIZZA JOINT PLANS ARE CAUSING A STINK

OBJECTORS to a proposal for a new pizza restaurant in Battery Point say it would lower property values and “the smells from the pizza oven will be unreasonable”.

An application has been lodged for the Hampden Rd site previously known as Cafe Auslan — Tasmania’s first sign language cafe, which closed due to undisclosed circumstances in September, for a pizza restaurant with seating for 12 plus one takeaway delivery vehicle.

The property was home to Bahr’s Chocolate

Shop and Milk

Bar, which had been an institution for generations before closing in January 2017.

A development application, which would allow for an extension of operation hours, new signage and some demolition and alterations, will be considered by the Hobart City Council’s planning committee meeting on Monday night.

According to application documents, the business owners had asked for the existing Bahr’s sign to be removed and replaced with a sign reading “Lord of Pizzas and Cafe”. Each side of the old sign would be relocated to two locations inside the property.

There were nine representations lodged against the development, which is located in a zone classed as inner residential. Issues raised include:

“The business will cause traffic chaos in Hampden Road for some distance either side of Stowell Avenue as traffic in this area is already high, slow and often difficult.”

“This development is removed from other restaurants and located in a part of Hampden Rd which is primarily residential and will cause greater disruption to residents than other restaurants.”

“Smoking, drinking and use of mobile phones outside the premises by patrons will adversely affect us.”

“The smells from the pizza oven will be unreasonable.”

“The large illuminated pizza sign will degrade the heritage value of Battery Point.”

“The development will result in the loss of property values.”

The application has been recommended for approval with conditions, including that the Bahr’s sign remain in place and the business not operate later than 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

“The potential emission of pizza smells through the external ducting is not considered to be a grounds for refusal,” the council report said.