Chamber disappointed at Umina Mall refusal
Umina District Chamber of Commerce has expressed disappointment at Gosford Council's refusal of an application to redevelop Umina Mall with a mix of commercial, retail and residential development.
President Ms Sharon Martin "It is fair to say that business, and to some degree the broader community of Umina, are supportive of this proposed re-development.
"However, it is not the role of our chamber to make judgment on the content of the DA or the impact this development may have on the day-to-day activities of residents in the general vicinity."
A determination issued by Gosford Council stated that the application did not comply in a number of ways with the council's requirements.
Ms Martin said: "The non-compliance in the application appears to be extensive.
"This is a significant development application mixing retail commercial and residential and it is always difficult to meet development and planning ordinance design issues, environment considerations, traffic, parking and noise in an application of this type.
"We look forward to council and the applicant reaching a speedy agreement on the redevelopment of this site."
The application for "Lone Pine Plaza" was refused by council's Independent Development and Environment Panel.
The council's determination stated that the proposal contained a "supermarket-sized general store" and was inappropriately located adjacent to a neighbourhood retail centre.
"The location of the general store of supermarket proportions does not comply with the objectives of the Residential 2(b) zone in that a service to residents wider than the local level is provided and impacts on the medium density residential environment particularly regarding traffic, car parking, loading areas and noise are unreasonable," the notice stated.
"The proposal does not comply with the requirements of Clause 10(4) of the Gosford Planning Scheme Ordinance and DCP 159 Character in that the overall design and layout of the development and location of the supermarket sized general store is not in accordance with the requirements of desired character for the locality
"The car parking layout and design do not comply with the requirements of AS2890.1:2004 regarding car parking space and aisle width.
"A conflict of delivery and service vehicles with customer vehicles and pedestrians is also created that is unsatisfactory.
"The Statement of Environmental Effects and the overall design has failed to give sufficient regard to the various impacts (eg, noise, odour, traffic, parking and access) of the proposal on adjacent and nearby residential properties."
According to the notice of determination, the design of the proposal had been severely constrained by the existence of the laneways adjacent to the site.
"It is considered that better design solutions will be available if the rear laneways are closed and the site has the benefit of a contiguous parcel and additional land area," the notice stated."
Letter, 10 Dec 2009
Peter Wilson, Gosford Council
Press release, 10 Dec 2009
Sharon Martin, Umina District Chamber of Commerce