Council considers adult shop DA
GRAFTON could soon have its own 'adult shop' on Prince St if Clarence Valley Council's Environment, Economic and Community committee adopts staff recommendations at tomorrow's meeting to approve a development application (DA) for the 'restricted premises'.
The DA for the 'Adulttoybox' store at 127 Prince St in the former premises of pet grooming business 'The Naked Hound' received 8 submissions regarding the proposal since it went on public display on January 18.
Concerns were raised in the submissions about the proximity of the adult store to the nearby Grafton Studio Academy of Dance and the exposure of children to the shop.
But council officers have recommended the DA be approved, subject to conditions which include modification of the signage for the premises.
According to council reports on the shop the Development Control Plan (DCP) has strict guidelines of compliance regarding the display of goods and signage.
"There shall be no restricted goods or products on display which can be viewed from a public place," is the first condition of the DCP.
The report prepared by council's Acting Planning Services Coordinator Cheryl Sisson states 'It is considered that the 'adult shop' would then have little negative impact on the surrounding activities, and may in fact have a positive benefit through occupying a currently-vacant shop.'
Concerned residents took to the Clarence Valley ratepayer's facebook page to express their opinions on the DA.
"All depends on the frontage...if it's good enough for South, then it's good enough for Grafton unless council is to take the line that South Grafton has 2nd class citizen status," Christopher Blanchard wrote.
"No objections from me as I am sure there will be a multitude of rules they will have to obey and this is the 21st century after all...something to browse while waiting for the Chinese takeaway," wrote Scott Thomson.
The Environment, Economic and Community committee's decision will go before next Tuesday's full council meeting.
