One last inspection for medical centre

A decision to build a medical centre in Umina, a plan 15 years in the making, has been deferred for one last site inspection before the plans are passed by Gosford Council.

Council staff have recommended the plans for approval, and council is set to pass a motion granting the development at its meeting of November 23.

The designs for the medical centre show a two-storey building, on lots 33 and 35 on Alfred St.

The proposed building will include a medical centre on the ground floor and commercial floor space on the first floor.

The basement car park contains 13 spaces and will be accessed via Alfred St.

The existing front of the building will continue to be used as a pharmacy.

A zoning change from "residential" to "business", to allow the building of the medical centre, was first passed in 1989.

In August 1993, council granted consent to the development application for additions to Radfords Pharmacy on Lot 35.

Council granted development consent in February 2002 to a similar application on the same properties.

Some Umina residents have raised concerns over issues pertaining to car parking.

The proposed building has a need for roughly 16 car parking spaces.

Six car parking space associated with the existing building are expected be lost as a result of the development.

Therefore, a total of roughly 22 new car spaces are required for the proposal.

The basement car park includes provision for 13 car spaces which are expected to be predominantly used by staff members.

An additional contribution to council would be required for the shortfall of the nine car parking spaces at a rate of $6641 per space.

Another local resident raised concerns over trucks double-parked whilst making deliveries, but the applicant has proposed to locate a delivery space in the basement car park.

Umina activist Mr Ed James, who has previously opposed the application, made no comment last week.

Council agenda DH.108, November 2