DESPITE staunch resistance from neighbours, Dejaxo cafe’s patron limit has been increased from 15 to 35.
More than a year after the cafe owner’s application for an increase to 40 was knocked back by City of Vincent council, the new limit was granted with a list of conditions attached.
Residents who have been fighting the increase fronted the September 19 council meeting again arguing noise, parking, traffic and safety on Coogee Street, Mt Hawthorn were major concerns.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWOne resident who lives across the road from the former deli said she could no longer relax in her front yard on weekend mornings.
“My front door is 20m from the cafe front door and the outdoor seating area,” she said.
“I can’t relax in my front yard with a book anymore.”
Gary Shyer argued the location of the cafe in an R30 Residential zoned area was inappropriate.
“It is in a residential area just a few hundred metres from two vibrant cafe strips,” he said.
“There is a need for people that live here to retreat from that.”
Another resident said she had not seen the community so divided over an issue in her 35 years living in Mt Hawthorn.
Deputy mayor Roslyn Harley supported the increase and said she had spoken to people who used to be against an increase but had since changed their mind and were customers.
She praised the cafe owners and said people taking advantage of the surrounding unrestricted street parking were not all necessarily cafe customers.
Councillor Matt Buckels said he was not so complimentary of the owners.
“This application annoys me, I feel like we are being hoodwinked into approving it,” he said.
“Council allowed a hole in the wall cafe for 15 people in a residential setting; I think there was an expectation this was always going to be a bigger cafe.”
Co-owner Kate Nebbs said last week she had to turn away customers because of the 15 person limit.
“It’s very distressing as a business owner to have to turn away people on a regular basis, particularly if these people have often walked down …we think that many of them won’t return,” she said.
Dejaxo cafe has been contacted for comment.
MORE: Former Docker Schloithe wins Sandover Medal
MORE: Elderly woman killed in Dianella in day of road carnage
MORE: City of Subiaco chief excited by Lions’ trip to WAFL grand final