A fast-food restaurant in Sarnia's downtown wants to build a drive-through and neighbours aren't happy about it.
A public meeting is planned for Monday to discuss the rezoning application submitted for the Harvey's at 321 Christina Street North.
Mayor Mike Bradley said the opposition comes as no surprise to him.
"This is a public meeting under the planning act and council must keep an open mind and be objective to the applicant," said Bradley. "However, there is a history on this site where there was a similar application years ago and it was turned down because of the impact on the apartment building immediately by that particular restaurant."
Bradley isn't sure what has changed since the last application was received.
"We will listen to them. But, I think they have a big hill to climb to convince us that they should have a drive-through right beside an apartment building that's been there for decades which would impact very negatively on those residents," he said.
Council will be presented with petitions, and letters, from residents at 10 Derby Lane and 350 Front Street North opposing the application.
Exhaust emissions and noise from the cars and the drive-through speaker are among the top concerns.
"The other drive-throughs on Christina that I'm aware of went through the whole public process and were distant from apartment buildings and other residential properties," Bradley said. "This is not the case here. They are just side-by-side and anyone that's familiar with the property would know that."
The restaurant operates Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
City staff are recommending the request be refused.
In an email, Harvey's owner Okan Zeytinoglu told Sarnia News Today that technology has advanced since the previous application was made 20 years ago.
"The order process is no louder than a private conversation between two people at a two foot distance," said Zeytinoglu. "We have the numbers to back that up. Neighbours wouldn’t hear this at all. The menu board will face the north not affecting the residents at 10 Derby Lane. Also, we are open no later than 12 a.m. and [have] no plans to increase the hours. We want to respect everyone in this process."
In regards to pollution, Zeytinoglu pointed out that vehicle technology has changed as well.
"95 per cent of cars built in the last few years have start stop technology and cars are much quieter versus 20-30 years ago," Zeytinoglu said. "Also many cars are hybrid or electric and as we all know this is the future regardless."
Zeytinoglu added that they are willing to install a large fence and add trees to the property and they "simply can’t grow [their] sales" without a drive-through.
"People are short of time and expect convenience. Winters are long and hard; parents with small children in the car, someone with a short lunch break or the elderly person wanting an original Harvey’s hamburger but it’s -20 degrees out."
Zeytinoglu added that the restaurant is planning a major interior and exterior renovation and they "can’t justify spending hundreds of thousands of dollars without a drive through."
Sarnia council's public meeting starts at 1 p.m. Monday.