Agenda item

SUMMARY

The application proposes the use and development of the land as a childcare centre at 25 and 27 Songbird Avenue in Chirnside Park. An assessment by council of the application is triggered under Neighbourhood Residential Zone Schedule 1 (NRZ1) for the use and development of the site. The proposal includes the development of a single-story building which is to be located across both lots. The plans also include a sealed carpark with 17 spaces along the western side of the development.

The childcare centre is proposed to accommodate up to 80 children and 15 staff on site at any one time. The operating hours proposed are between 6:30am and 6:30pm on Monday to Friday. The centre is proposed to be closed on weekends.

The application was advertised, and total of thirty-three submissions have been received, comprising thirty-two submissions in objection and one letter in support. The main grounds of objection are related to traffic, noise pollution, danger to pedestrians, vegetation impacts, car parking, oversaturation of the land use, decreased property value, and timing of the advertised traffic report.

An assessment of the proposal has determined that the proposal fails to meet the requirements of the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, and that the application cannot be supported on various grounds which are outlined in this report and attachment 1, concluding that a refusal should be issued.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, James Unkles spoke in support of the recommendation included in the officer report.

The Mayor noted that Officers have advised Council that, since the report was prepared and the agenda published last week, the applicant has now lodged an appeal to VCAT against Council’s Failure to make a decision within the required 60 statutory days.  As such, Council can no longer issue a decision on the application as recommended on page 97 that this proposal be refused.

The Mayor moved a motion alternate to that printed in the agenda.