Residents' fears over 'hotel' plan

Plans for a new ‘hotel’ in Samford Village are causing “stress, concern and anxiety”, according to residents near the proposed site.

At last week’s full Council meeting, one resident, Kris Panagiotopolus described the development application as a “bombshell dropped on us”.

An application (DA) has been lodged with Moreton Bay City Council to change an existing approval at 1-5 Mary Ring Drive.

The previous approval was for seven food and drink outlets, including a bar, on a 2993sqm block at the intersection with Mt Glorious Rd.

However, that was immediately followed by a change application from “bar and food and drink outlet tenancies to a hotel use”.

The DA, available on Council's website, says “proposed hotel activities relate to a boutique local tavern that will sell local produce, including local food and drinks”.

"No changes"

It adds the "proposed development will operate in an almost identical manner to the current approval" with "no changes" to the approved built form".

No pokies or gaming machines are proposed as part of this change application.

Using the Community Comment platform, Mr Panagiotopolus said residents were “fairly agreeable” to food and drink outlets “as it was the best outcome in the situation”.

He said residents also supported development “where appropriate and the community’s needs and expectations are taken account of”.

“After two-and-a-half years of assessment we thought we were getting six food and drink outlets and small bar. Now we’ve got a full-blown hotel,” he said.

"No warning"

“Residents believe this has gone beyond what is considered a reasonable reduction in our amenity and lifestyle. We see that this has been a significant impact.

“No communication from the developer, no warning. You can imagine the stress and concern and anxiety among residents when word got out this hotel application had been lodged.”

Mr Panagiotopolus said there were also concerns over health and safety, the 10pm operating limit changing to midnight and need for more car parking spaces.

The latest DA is now being assessed by Council officers.

The Community Comment platform allows residents to address full council meetings for up to five minutes.

Details must be submitted and approved before the meeting. There is no preceding or following discussion on issues raised.