Application lodged for eight three-bedroom dwellings
Central Coast Council has received a development application for eight two-storey three-bedroom dwellings at 59-61 Memorial Ave, Blackwall, on the Warrigal St corner.
The application prepared by Clark Dowdle and Associates states: "The site consolidates two suburban sized lots that are the south-western corner of the intersection between Memorial Ave and Warrigal St."
"Vehicular access is proposed via a shared driveway to separate garages provided for each unit.
"The dwelling construction would utilise reinforced concrete slab footings, timber roof rafters with colorbond roof sheeting, aluminum framed windows, mixture of external cladding.
"The external finishes schedule include weatherboard cladding, powder-coated windows and colorbond roofing."
The application claims that the proposal, with a height of 7.6 metres and a floor space ratio of 0.49:1, complies with the respective maximums of 8.5 metres and 0.5:1.
However, it does not comply with other planning provisions.
It proposes a rear setback of 3.3 metres, compared to a requirement of 4.5 metres.
It also proposes to have "private open space" for units 1-4 located in front setback, where according to the planning provisions: "Ground level courtyards are not permitted within the front building setback area fronting local roads."
The application states: "The rear setback of 3.41 metres at a minimum equates to approximately 16.4 square metres with the majority of the lot having a 4.8 metre rear setback from the alfresco area, allowing a generous area to be established for private open space and deep soil zone landscaping opportunities".
In justifying private open space in the front setback, the consultants argued that the previous planning provisions (replaced in August last year) were better because they permitted courtyards to be established in the front setback - with 1.5m offset fencing and landscaping.
They also criticised the open space requirement of 45 square metres being almost twice the requirement of a single dwelling house.
"From a planning control perspective, it is our opinion that the (requirements) should be flipped - 45 square metres for a dwelling house and 24 square metres for multi-dwelling housing.
"It is our opinion this blanket rule should be reconsidered to cater with what has been well established within the Woy Woy Peninsula area."
The proposal is non-compliant with car parking provisions which require 14 spaces. Only eight are proposed.
The application states: "The proposed garages provide eight off-street parking spaces which does not comply with the ... 12 resident spaces and two visitor spaces in accordance with parking rates for multi-housing development."
It argues for an exemption from the requirement: "The site is located within the immediate distance to a bus stop and a service station located across the road.
"The area has flat gradients with cycle ways available for alternative transport."
"The site is located within walking distance of the Woy Woy waterfront, Peninsula Leisure Centre and local ovals.
"This would reduce private car reliance and thus one space per unit could cater for the occupation of the site without creating an on-street overflow.
"Warrigal St provides unlimited off-street parking that would cater for irregular visits to the site.
"This form of parking is more commonly used by visitors as opposed to driving into unfamiliar and tight parking areas."
The application concludes by claiming that "As detailed within this report, the proposed multi-dwelling housing development at 59-61 Memorial Ave, Blackwall is consistent with the objectives, planning strategies and controls applicable to the site.
"The creation of an additional dwellings would not result in any adverse environmental, amenity, social or economic impacts to the site and surrounding area."
"The proposal provides for increased density that would be compatible with the intention and rationale outlined in the NSW Department of Planning's strategic plans including the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036."
The application is currently on public exhibition with submissions closing on March 3.
SOURCE:
DA Tracker, 4 Feb 2023
DA4258/2022, Central Coast Council