Fast food fury
NORWOOD - RESIDENTS are fuming as construction on a new fast food outlet begins at Norwood Mall, but objections are likely to meet with little success.
Residents are canvassing support for a petition against the construction of a drive-through Burger King outlet in the parking lot of Norwood Mall, which they believe will adversely affect property values and attract unsavoury elements to the area.
However, according to Marcia Seymour, executive manager of property owner The Cavaleros Group, this project is entirely compliant with the Business 1 zoning rights granted to the site as long ago as November 2006. As the further development of the site to accommodate the drive-through has required no additional zoning, it necessitates no negotiation with residents, and Seymour was unaware of any petition against the development.
“The application to approve the zoning rights was a result of a carefully negotiated set of terms and conditions… agreed upon between all interested and affected parties, including the residents directly adjoining the property,” said Seymour, adding that the selection of the international Burger King brand as part of the mall’s tenant mix was intended to extend the range of goods and services offered to the community.
“In view of the fact that the zoning rights granted in 2006 [were] a result of extensive negotiations between the owner of the land and the residents and interest groups, which included a range of protective measures for the residents… the owner is of the opinion that compliance with these terms and conditions must also include the right of the owner to exercise the rights granted to its fullest extent,” stated Seymour.
Norwood Orchards Residents’ Association (Nora) chair, Brett MacDougall, agreed that the construction project complies with all necessary regulations, pointing out that the Burger King outlet will occupy an existing site, on a portion of the mall’s more than adequate parking space, and that building has destroyed no vegetation.
However, MacDougall stressed that while residents may be obliged to tolerate Burger King’s appearance, Nora would keep a close eye on any future developments in the area.
“We’re passionate about our public open spaces… and we will fight to protect all other open spaces,” he said.
