Priestman Ave house may be demolished

A house in Priestman Ave, Umina, is to be demolished to make way for multi-dwelling housing consisting of three units if a development application is approved by Central Coast Council.

The application was lodged with council on June 13 and the estimated cost of the works is $550,000.

The land is on the northern side of the road reserve, is relatively flat and has an area of 720 square metres, according to supporting documents lodged with the application.

The surrounding area is characterised by a mix of medium-density housing and a blend of one- and two-storey houses.

"The application seeks consent for the demolition of the existing dwelling and the erection of a single-storey multi-unit development entailing, three three-bedroom villas," the statement said.

"Access is proposed via a driveway running along the western boundary and separate garages are provided for each unit.

"The proposed units include front courtyard fencing that provide sufficient areas to store mobile waste collection bins away from the street and from the courtyard areas within the site.

"The use of the land would not adversely impact on the surrounding properties and would allow the existing environment to be adequately protected while allowing suitable and appropriate creation of new dwellings to proceed.

"The use of the land for the erection of a multi dwelling housing is considered to be an orderly and economic use of the subject land, while reflecting the character of the locality and the environment.

"The proposal would be consistent with the established medium density residential development pattern in the locality and meets the objectives outlined of the act and would be in the public interest," the statement said.

However, the site does not comply with the minimum lot size required under the Gosford Local Environmental Plan 2014 being only 720 metres square when the minimum lot size is 750 square metres.

The proposed side and rear setbacks of the multi-unit housing buildings do not comply with the prescriptive measures outlined within the setback clauses within the DCP either.

In justifying the non-compliance, the applicant's statement said: "Notwithstanding the non-compliance with the numerical measures, the design of the development would allow sufficient boundary setbacks to alleviate visual amenity, privacy and overshadowing impacts to the adjoining properties within the medium density residential zone.

"The proposed setbacks would allow the incorporation of appropriate private open space areas behind courtyard fencing that would have direct access to the living areas of each dwelling with appropriate solar access.

"The proposal would be commensurate with the scale and design of multi-unit development in the medium density zone within the Woy Woy/Umina Peninsula and would allow an appropriate area for the perimeter landscaping treatment as outlined within the objectives of the setbacks clause.

"Subsequently the design and siting of the villas meet the overarching objectives of the setbacks clause and is considered acceptable for the medium density residential zone."

The size of the private open space available to unit two would also be slightly below that required by the Gosford Development Control Plan.

"The proposal meets the objectives of the applicable development standard and the overarching objectives for the R1 Residential Zone."

Gosford DA tracker, 4 Jul 2017

DA52242/2017, Central Coast Council