Proposal 'does not comply' with setbacks or length

A $1 million five-unit housing development has been proposed for 73-74 Railway St, Woy Woy.

The two single dwellings that occupy the two blocks would be demolished and replaced with five town-houses with front courtyard fencing.

The proposed side and rear setbacks of the town-houses do not comply with the Gosford Development Control Plan but the developer's consultant, Clarke Dowdle and Assoc, has argued the design "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 front courtyard fencing that would have direct access to the living areas with appropriate solar access.

"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 developer argued.

Setbacks recently "approved, established and permitted" in the area were also used by the developer to justify the non-compliance of the Railway St proposal.

He cited 10 non-complying approvals issued in the last five years.

The proposed multi-housing development would have an overall length of 39 metres which doesn't comply with the 25 metre requirement in the DCP.

The proposed garages provide five off-street parking spaces which does not comply with the nine spaces (including visitor parking) required in the DCP.

According to the developer, "The site is located within immediate walking-cycling proximity of public transport (train and bus), recreation facilities, shops and schools and therefore warrants lower parking rate requirements".

"The prescriptive parking rates are onerous when compared to other parking rates for other residential development (such as a 3 bedroom dwelling-house only requiring one parking space)," the developer argued.

Vehicle access would be by a central driveway to separate garages provided for each unit.

The flat 936.6 square metre site is 20 metres wide, 45.72 metres long and has direct access to the public road reserve.

It adjoins the local heritage item known as "the former shop Mrs Wilson's" at 68 Railway St.

According to information submitted by the developer: "Given the zoning of the site, the established medium density residential development that surrounds and the setback of the proposed dwellings to the heritage item, the proposal would not be detrimental to the heritage values pertaining to the site".

The site is located within immediate proximity of the Woy Woy CBD in an area characterised by a mix of residential and small scale commercial, retail, medical and educational establishments.

It is near to public transport, recreational facilities, retail facilities, medical centres and sporting grounds.

According to the developer, the proposed town houses would be "consistent with the established medium density development within the Woy Woy-Umina Peninsula area that caters for smaller scale dwellings within the locale and would be consistent in all facets when compared to medium density residential development that has historically and more recently erected."

The proposal will be advertised for public comment from April 12 to 27.

SOURCE:

Gosford DA Tracker, 5 Apr 2018

DA54018/2018, Central Coast Council