Agenda item

SUMMARY

The proposed childcare centre is located within Monbulk township’s residential area adjacent to Monbulk commercial precinct. The childcare centre provides for an essential community infrastructure for Monbulk and surrounding communities in a location that is both compatible and commonplace within a residential area.

The application was reviewed by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and internally by Council’s Engineering Traffic and Drainage departments, Strategic Planning and Urban Design Department, and Arborist. All referral assessments determined no overarching concerns with the proposal, subject to conditions.

The design response draws special attention to minimising negative impacts to adjoining neighbours by its an effective layout, generous setbacks and installation of acoustic measures and overlooking treatments. The design response integrates and responds to the constraints and characteristics of the site and surrounds with its residential scaled building form and residential design details.

At the time of writing this report the proposal received 22 objections and one letter of support. The primary concerns raised were land use appropriateness, accumulative amenity impacts including noise concerns, visual bulk of the development, accumulative traffic impacts including increase in traffic, increase in car noise and fumes, decreased traffic/pedestrian safety and potential for poor driving behaviour, lack of car parking on site and within Baynes Road, and vegetation removal. The submission in support identifies the site as a good location promoting walkability between site, town centre and schools, intersection was not too dangerous and identified a general need for this community infrastructure.

Overall, the proposed development has an appropriate design response and is satisfactory when assessed against the relevant policies including Municipal Planning Strategy and the Planning Policy Framework, provisions, and prescribed design standards of the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme. Therefore, it is recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Robin Oakley spoke in objection to the recommendation included in the officer report.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Jason Sumner, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the recommendation included in the officer report.