New information on Brickwharf Rd flat open for comment

Updated information about a proposed six-unit three-storey residential flat building at 75 Brickwharf Rd is currently available for public comment.

The information includes amended plans and other documents including a "cover letter response" from planning consultants, Clarke Dowdle and Associates.

However, the updated documents do not include the main application document, the Statement of Environmental Effects.

The information has been submitted in response to the council planners' comments and public submissions received after the application was first exhibited in July 2021.

The original application contained only five sheets of drawings.

Now the drawings include shadow diagrams and a total 31 in number.

The letter lists a number of changes that have been made to the plans.

The gross floor area is now stated as 608.64 square metres, which includes a reduction in units sizes, with replanned storage and wet areas, and inclusion of the common landing area at the top floor.

It states the top floor has been modified to improve potential overviewing and privacy, and also has "amenity adjustments" to improve the floor plan.

The design now "integrates curved corners and balanced composition".

Planters on the first floor have been increased in size from 71.52 square metres to 83.93 square metres "to improve amenity and soften the built appearance".

The letter claims that neighbours will have a minimum of three hours of sunlight daily for living rooms and the principal area of private open space;

It claims an increase in the deep soil zone and argues that front planters adjacent to that zone should be considered to be deep soil.

It is unclear whether the increase meets the minimum requirement of 25 per cent of site area.

A comparison of the old and new ground floor plans reveal minor changes to some of the main building setbacks at the side boundaries of less than 100mm.

Two garages which adjoin the main building have also been pushed back from the side boundaries to 600 mm.

Non-compliance with planning provisions for setbacks, which were noted in the original application, has not changed with the updated information.

The provisions require side setbacks of six metres, but are currently planned to be a maximum of three metres and, for large portions of the main structure, only two metres.

The six metre rear requirement and the three metre side dimensions for deep soil zones are not achieved.

The requirement in the Apartment Design Guide for a communal common area is satisfied, according to the applicant, by leisure facilities across the road at the foreshore reserve.

A revised Section 4.6 variation requests for exceptions to planning provisions limits to floor space ratio and building height have been expanded and reworded.

Height would exceed the 11 metre maximum by 320mm, and the floor space ratio of 0.65:1 would exceed the maximum permitted of 0.6:1.

The letter also contains a section about the uniqueness of public submissions, claiming that there were only six unique submissions and that the council was therefore entitled to determine the application, without submitting it to the Local Planning Panel which would require 10 unique submissions.

Written submissions will now be accepted May 8.

SOURCE:

DA Tracker, 15 Mar 2023

DA61806/2021, Central Coast Council