Agenda item

YR-2023/577 - 300-308 Maroondah Highway Healesville

Minutes:

SUMMARY

The application seeks permission for buildings and works to extend the existing ground floor shops, construct a new first floor addition above the shops, to be used as a restaurant, and seven triple storey dwellings at the rear of the land. A reduction in car parking and bicycle parking is sought as well as removal of non-native trees.

The application was advertised, and 40 objections have been received and letter of support. Objector concerns relate primarily to the built form and height of the building, out of character with the township, vegetation removal and impacts to car parking and amenity.

Overall, it is considered that on balance the proposal will not have a detrimental impact on the character and amenity of the area and is consistent with character of Healesville as protected by the Design and Development Overlay, the Heritage Overlay and the planning policy framework.

The design, through appropriate conditions, allows for the protection and retention of two of the five large trees at the rear of the site and the protection of third party trees on adjoining land.

The proposal provides a site responsive retail and residential development in the activity centre. The design, form and height of the development is responsive to Healesville’s rural township heritage character. The overall height of the building will present similar in scale to that of other buildings along the main street of Healesville.

The proposal will not impact detrimentally upon the amenity of nearby dwellings and provides sensitively designed interfaces to these dwellings that is to be further enhanced by permit conditions.

The applicant has provided appropriate justification for the wavier of some car parking requirements, as required under the Planning Scheme. The proposal provides sufficient car parking on site for business staff and future residents of the dwellings. 

The proposal responds to the site context and meets relevant clauses of the Planning Scheme, as they relate to development.

The proposal is consistent with broad policy intent to focus redevelopment in identified activity centres and will result in net community benefit.

 

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

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Wayne Bird spoke in support to the recommendation included in the officer report.

Cr McAllister moved a motion alternate to that printed in the agenda.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and
Cr Child spoke to the Motion.

Moved: Cr McAllister
Seconded: Cr Child

That Council resolve to refuse Planning Application YR-2023/577 for buildings and works for a mixed use development (seven (7) dwellings), removal of vegetation, reduction of car parking and alter access to Transport Zone 2 at 300-308 Maroondah Highway Healesville and issue a Notice of Refusal Decision to Grant a Permit subject to the following grounds:

1.         The proposal provides insufficient car parking on site to meet anticipated user demand, will saturate available public parking, will be detrimental to the amenity of surrounding residential streets, will impact detrimentally upon the commercial viability of the surrounding area and is contrary to the decision guidelines of Clause 52.06-7.

2.         The height, setback, design and bulk of the development will be detrimental to the character of the Healesville Activity Centre and is contrary to the following provisions of the planning scheme:

a)        Clause 43.01 Heritage Overlay HO159 and HO428.

b)        Clause 43.02 Design and Development Overlay DDO12.

3.         The extent of vegetation removal will be detrimental to the landscape character of the Healesville Activity Centre and its environs and is contrary to Clause 51.03 Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Regional Strategy Plan.

4.         The wall height of dwelling 1 on the south boundary will be detrimental to the amenity of the adjoining dwelling’s secluded private open space.

5.         The sense of address of dwellings off a commercial car park is not safe and is contrary to the following provisions of the planning scheme:

a)        Clause 15.01-1S Urban Design.

b)        Clause 15.01-2S Building Design.

c)         Clause 34.01-8 having regard to Clause 55.03-7 Safety objective.

The motion was Carried unanimously.

In Favour:   Cr Heenan, Cr Higgins, Cr Eastham, Cr Todorov, Cr Child,
Cr McAllister, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox.

Against:       Nil

The Mayor called for the meeting to be adjourned at 9.09pm.

The meeting resumed at 9.17pm with Cr Heenan, Cr Higgins, Cr Eastham, Cr Todorov, Cr Child, Cr Fullagar and Cr Cox present.

 

Cr McAllister returned to the meeting at 9.18.

Supporting documents: