Three-storey building proposed for Ed James' site

A roast chicken shop at 323-325 West St, Umina Beach, will have a three-storey commercial building behind it, if an application currently on exhibition is approved.

Central Coast Council has received a development application which is on public exhibition until tomorrow, October 15.

The existing weatherboard cottage at the rear of the site, which was previously owned and occupied by community activist the late Mr Ed James and his father, would be demolished under the plan.

The ground floor of the proposed new commercial building would consist of a retail area and cafe at the northern end of the building with a kitchen, storeroom and changeroom to the west and public access from the south eastern corner.

Located at the southern end of the ground floor would be the entry lobby for the upper level commercial units.

The application from GAT and Associates. States that no carparking has been proposed, despite seven spaces being required by the planning provisions.

A parking demand assessment was prepared by Solution 1 Traffic Engineers for the applicant.

Its report said the parking shortfall of seven spaces would generate no noticeable parking impacts as the immediate locality was assessed for available parking and a total of 322 on-street and 165 off-street spaces were identified.

The record of pre-development advice from council planning staff last year stated that the chicken shop was approved in 1988 without any requirement for car parking spaces and that approved use remains.

However, council staff said parking for the new development should be provided at the rates provided by the car parking chapter of the Development Control Plan.

"Council does acknowledge the vision associated with the proposal, given car parking cannot be addressed via a cash contribution in lieu, the lack of car parking on site is not supported.

"However, Council staff are willing to review any draft proposal having regard to the concerns noted above," the advice noted.

SOURCE

DA Tracker, 8 Oct 2019

DA 57212, Central Coast Council