Work may proceed on townhouses

A construction certificate has been issued for three townhouses at 6 Augusta St, Umina, following the granting of a by Central Coast Council.

Council granted consent for the project in March even though its assessment report listed major non-compliances with the Gosford Development Control Plan (DCP) 2013 for setbacks (ranging from 47 per cent up to 100 per cent), building dimensions (76 per cent), width and depth of buildings (87 per cent) and site planning (31 per cent).

The construction certificate allows work to proceed.

Under the plans, an existing garage will be demolished and three, two-storey, attached townhouse constructed on the 847 square metre site.

Each townhouse includes an enclosed garage, ground floor access to the driveway, ground floor access to outdoor areas and water tank.

One unit includes a one kilowatt solar panel system.

Two of the units will have four bedrooms and one has three bedrooms.

The two with four bedrooms have double garages.

The project does comply with the Gosford DCP for lot size, building height and floor space.

According to the assessment report, the shortfalls for setbacks was justified because "the subject site for the proposed multidwelling development is typical of the Peninsula as it is a regular elongated lot with narrow lot width.

"The area defined as the 'Peninsula' is characterised by these type of allotments and as result has a fine urban grain that in areas is populated by medium density development similar building form to the proposal.

"Given the constraints of the allotment, it results in new development of greater intensification above a single detached dwelling, to be position alongside one boundary of the site, to allow for vehicular access and onsite parking, whilst providing outdoor private open space.

"The proposed development is consistent and compatible with the existing patterns of development and will contribute to the scenic quality of the area, without impacting negatively on amenity.

"The proposal also maintains sufficient areas of soft landscaping and vegetation.

"The contraventions to setback requirements sought by the proposal are considered to be, in this instance, a product of the constrained site and notwithstanding the variation the proposal remains consistent with the objectives of the DCP."

SOURCE:

DA53456/2017, 17 Oct 2018

Gosford DA Tracker, Central Coast Council