The pop up store along the Geraldton foreshore "Jaffle Shack" was granted permission for alfresco seating at Tuesday's council meeting, after being rejected at last months meeting.

Last month the proprietors of nearby restaurants Dome and Skeetas were both present at the council meeting to raise questions regarding the seating at the pop up store. Mr Graham Sertorio from Dome was particularly visibly frustrated at the proposal. Several issues were raised, in particular the question surrounding the need for Jaffle Shack to provide public toilets. In a response provided later, the council has advised that the nearby public toilets at the foreshore suffice.

The style of table to be used at the Jaffle Shack.

Although divided in their opinions, council rejected the application for the seating in March, stating that the seating did not keep with the goal of open free space at the foreshore, and that what was originally put to them as a "pop up" coffee shop was evolving into a fully fledged restaurant on the foreshore.

The proponent for the request, Jaffle Shack owner Christian Watters, changed the number of tables from the original application of 9 tables with 6 stools per table to 4 tables with only 5 stools per table, and also reduced the footprint of the area needed from 60m2 to 50m2.

Part of the condition for approval is that the alfresco dining is to be made available for general public use, and not only patrons of the Jaffle Shack.

The proposal passed council 7 votes to 5.

Interestingly, last month council staff noted in the meeting that ALL alfresco dining tables and chairs that are on public areas are available for the general public's use.

In supporting the application, Mr Watters advised council of the following:

* The addition of alfresco dining to the area surrounding the Jaffle Shack will assist in creating an environment that is healthy, safe and comfortable not only for patrons of the Jaffle Shack but for other users of the foreshore. Currently customers are bringing their own picnic blankets and congregating around the trees to take advantage of the shade on offer. The alfresco dining options proposed will increase the available shade and as a result will increase the availability of suitable spaces. Through thoughtful design in keeping with the shack, the attractiveness of the area will also be improved.  

* By providing an area to sit and take in our wonderful foreshore (both protected from the heat of the sun and also in a way that ensures an ability to dine in some comfort) the vibrancy of the area will be enhanced. A more comfortable seating arrangement than currently is on offer (by way of seating on the grass) will encourage longer stays which is in keeping with the City’s desire for the foreshore area.  

* The public amenity of the area will not be impeded at all by this application. The area proposed for the seating is immediately adjacent to the Jaffle Shack and have both a path and trees which are well suited to the addition of further seating.  

* This proposal will not impede at all on the community’s use of the public infrastructure currently in place and will in fact improve the infrastructure on offer by freeing up community facilities for general usage.

* The proposed operating hours of the seating area are as per those of the café, this being 7.30am until 6pm at this time but subject to seasonal changes.  

* The tables and chairs will be stored in the existing lease area.  

* The stools have rubber stoppers on the bottom of each foot  preventing damage to the grass.  

Questions asked 22 March regarding previous proposal:

Mr Graham Sertorio, Director, Champion Bay Holdings 2 Hoskin Street, Bluff Point

Question:

 If there is to be an extension to the Jaffle Shack’s alfresco area, where are the toilet facilities to be located to accommodate the patrons?

Response: 

The alfresco application submitted will be using the City’s facilities that are provided on the foreshore given the size of the facility and temporary nature as approved.

Question :

Where there is an alfresco area with more than 20 seats isn’t the proponent to provide toilets

Response:

This question will be taken on notice and a response will be provided in the next Agenda. A formal response will be provided to Mr Sertorio.

Response :

The requirements for toilets is specified within the National Construction Code (NCC) Sanitary facilities need to be provided for patrons if the total number of persons accommodated in the building is more than 20.

This is generally calculated by the number of seating proposed (Tables, Chairs) for patrons. The toilet facilities to be used by patrons need not be for their use exclusively. For a building accommodating more than 20, the NCC goes onto state “Suitable sanitary facilities for personal hygiene must be provided in a convenient location within or associated with a building, to the degree necessary. The proximity to the public toilets is not dissimilar to a café etc. within a shopping centre.

Mr Graham Sertorio referred to a letter dated 3 Aug 2015, from the City of Greater Geraldton and the following question/response.

Questions were addressed at the Ordinary Meeting of Council of 28 July 2015 as per below

Question:

 If increased to 48sq meter now. Does this mean the Pop Up Café will have its own private seating for its customers?

Response:

 It will mean the footprint area of 48m2 will be leased to the proponent for exclusive use under a lease agreement for use in line with a sea container café with a verandah /decking containing universal access.

Question:

 With the excessive use now available, how is it maintained by Council?

Response :

The City will monitor the use as per other alfresco areas and the recommendation includes a condition in this regard. For example the alfresco area at 2 Foreshore and those in Marine Terrace are not part of any lease area and no fees are charged by the City in order to encourage vibrancy.

Question:

At no cost?

Response :

Council will not charge for the Alfresco area exactly the same as other alfresco areas.

Question :

Why do I get charged for the Alfresco area (at Dome)

Response :

As your Alfresco area is part of the building structure and is for exclusive use.

Mr C Cox, 19a Ajax Drive, Wandina, Geraldton

Question: 

Will the proponent have to pay any money in lieu of parking like other restaurants and businesses considering they will be seating approximately 70 people and will they be required to subsidise the use of public toilets?

Response: 

Provision of car parking on the foreshore for the various activity areas were part of the overall Foreshore Master Plan. It is noted that the foreshore car parking areas are also catering for the City Centre activities as well.

Question: 

This business was approves as a pop up shop, with a set area. If the concept is now changing to a business/restaurant with the capacity for up to 70 people, should this therefore go back to council, and be re classified as a restaurant rather than a pop up shop?

Response: 

The current approval covers the operation of a sea container café with the floor area now set at 50 sq m. The proposed alfresco area does not change the current approval/ use.

Question :

Will the proponent be erecting all the 9 tables and 54 chairs daily to increase the available shade seating on the foreshore for other users as was mentioned in his application or will he be erecting tables and chairs as required as stated at the agenda meeting purely for him own benefit and use?

Response:

 The application mentions tables and chairs daily use. The proponent has advised that if business is quiet on certain days he will only put out chairs/tables to meet those needs.