Verdict soon in burger battle

A two year battle over a proposed McDonald's restaurant in Balmoral could be over by the end of the month.

The hamburger giant is seeking to build a 159-seat eatery on the corner of Wiremu St and Balmoral Rd. It will be one of the largest McDonald's restaurants in New Zealand.

But the plan has upset residents, and an independent commission will over the next eight days hear arguments from the Balmoral Community group and representatives from the fast-food chain.

At the first day of hearings held in Mt Eden yesterday, experts for McDonald's addressed the community group's concerns over increased traffic, lighting at night, noise, loss of privacy and rubbish.

Landscape architect and urban designer Gaynor Revill said the planned restaurant will be smaller in bulk and scale than the furniture store and warehouse now on the site.

She said the Auckland City Council had commended the design's contemporary form. Titoki trees and red flax would be planted along Wiremu St to screen the carpark and improve the existing view.

Specialists also said lighting and noise would comply with the council's district plan and bylaws.

Traffic complaints will be addressed today.

McDonald's lawyer Richard Brabant, said its presentations should address all the residents' concerns.

But he said residents had to understand they did not live in a secluded suburb.

"If you're living on the edge of a business area you have got to have different expectations in amenities."

If the plans were turned down, Mr Brabant said, McDonald's would take the case to the Environment Court.

The secretary of the Balmoral Community group, Justine Tringham, said McDonald's had not changed its proposal despite community concerns.

"It's still 24/7, still drive-through. There are very few changes."

Residents will make submissions from Thursday to Tuesday next week. Ms Tringham said the residents want a "100 per cent decline" of the application, but they are aware it could be a long fight.

"They [McDonald's] want what they want, and they won't stop until they get it."

The Auckland City Council received 872 submissions on McDonald's plans, of which 860 were opposed to them.

Council planners recommended the application be declined, but the commission could approve it.