Townhouses approved for Nowack Ave

The demolition of an existing dwelling and construction of a proposed residential flat in Nowack Ave, Umina Beach, has been approved by Gosford Council at its meeting on November 4.

The current house will be demolished and a two-storey residential flat building consisting of three large units is to be constructed on the site.

The application was referred to Council following four public submissions about the proposal.

Cr Lynne Bockholt said a petition had been lodged and not acknowledged by Council staff.

The site was on the southern side of Nowack Ave, 200m west of the intersection with Ocean Beach Rd.

Council staff reported that there were concerns with regard to the character of the site.

According to the staff report, the area should "remain leafy mixed-density residential areas, retaining a substantial proportion of single dwellings interspersed by new dual occupancies, villa units and town houses".

The agenda noted that "the building consists of three two storey townhouses each with landscaped ground level courtyard areas".

The report said that new building works should protect and enhance traditional qualities of the Peninsula's garden suburbs where "modestly-scaled cottages and bungalows are surrounded by leafy gardens".

The council agenda stated: "Substantial landscaping is proposed at the frontage of the site and along both sides of the driveway. In addition, existing trees are to be retained at the frontage of the site."

In general the report found that the proposed building contained many of the features of traditional Peninsula bungalows.

"It also contains numerous design elements which are consistent with an improved standard of urban design and as such is consistent with existing and emerging development in the locality," it stated.

"In this instance, therefore, the proposal does not detract from the character of the immediate locality."

The Tree Management Officer (TMO) advised that the proposal would require removal of mostly ornamental vegetation to the rear of the site.

The trees at the front of the site were deemed to be not particularly good specimens and the TMO had no objection to their removal and replacement.

Public submissions objecting to the development had concerns with regard to loss of privacy as the proposed building was two-storey.

Council found that while the building was two-storey, the first floor were all bedrooms and there were no balconies on that floor and impacts on privacy would therefore be minimal.

There were also submissions about reduction of "rights of quite enjoyment" due to additional noise, lighting and general activity.

The site is zoned residential 2(b) which permits two-storey medium density development.

A damming effect from torrential rain was also feared as a result of the required filling of the site.

A condition was placed on the approval that no run off be directed from the site to adjoining sites.

Concerns of loss of sunlight, water from the carwash bay, depreciation and further high rises were not seen to be valid by Council.

A facilitation conference was held on May 16 between the objectors and applicant.

Discussion centred around the proposed development being two-storey surrounded by single storey buildings.

The facilitation was regarded as partly successful as there were some agreed outcomes.

Alison Branley, Council Agenda DH 104, November 27