Residents' group says new plans are 'even worse'

The Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development group says new plans for a six-storey residential development at Ettalong are "even more non-compliant than the original proposal".

Group spokesman Mr Peter Gillis said the original development application (55896/2019) for the mixed use commercial and residential project at 227-233 Ocean View Rd was withdrawn by the applicant Jedaclew Pty Ltd on July 15 last year.

An article about the new DA (57779/2019), submitted to Central Coast Council, was reported in the January 20 edition of Peninsula News.

In the time between the original application being withdrawn and the new application being lodged, Jedaclew Pty Ltd purchased an extra property at 233 Ocean View Rd to expand the development.

"Now, the development is even more non-compliant than the original proposal," Mr Gillis said.

"Prior to the original application, a Council pre-development advice meeting made it clear to the developer that the proposal was not acceptable, specifically under the Gosford Development Control Plan 2013." he said.

Mr Gillis said it appeared that the same pre-development advice was being applied to the new development application.

The Council pre-development advice document states: "The height of the building is to be reduced to five storeys with the height of the building reduced to two storeys at the residential zone interface.

"The proposal is subject to the desired character area Ettalong Beach No. 9 Mainstreet Centre (and) this character statement will have to address the compatibility of the proposal with the desired character.

"In summary, planning controls include a maximum 8.75 metres high and two-storey facade will apply to all frontages of properties that have an interface with a street or laneway or common boundary with a residential zone.

"Maximum height in storeys is five.

"Setback to side and rear boundary adjoining R1 zone where lower storeys are setback four metres; Upper storeys to be stepped to maintain adequate sunlight;

"Building separation to be compliant with Clause 4.2.5.4 (of the DCP);

"Privacy to be compliant with Clause 4.2.7.5 and 4.2.7.6 (of the DCP);

"Careful consideration on the location of car parking ventilation within the external walls so as to not impact on residential amenity."

Mr Gillis said that the Residents for Responsible Ettalong Development group does not believe these concerns have been addressed in the new development application (57779/2019).

He said building height was stated at 19.41m to the lift-overrun.

"The lift overrun is shown at about 0.4 metres and we believe this is understated by up to two metres.

"The building would then be four metres over the height limit.

"The building remains six storeys, with a five-storey street frontage.

"The side and rear setbacks are non-compliant - with five storeys, rather than two, on the north side, adjacent to the R1 residential zone.

"The isolation of 235 Ocean View Rd has not been addressed and the applicant uses a previous application (Umina Beach DA52563/2017) to excuse this, as well as the setbacks.

"Overshadowing of adjacent properties and the street is massive, and inevitable with a building of this bulk and size.

"Local traffic will increase significantly and parking problems will be a major issue."

Mr Gillis said the developer's supporting statement dismissed the height problem with the comment that "the departure is a necessary one to achieve a reasonable unit yield".

He said the residents' group was of the opinion that the development application (57779/2019) was far from compatible with the existing Ettalong Beach village centre character.

"it is non-compliant in height, bulk and size, and required setbacks," he said.

"The overall height of the building is about 21 metres, or more than 20 percent over the height limit, and will create massive overshadowing.

"On top of the 52 dwelling Centrelink development, this development will create unprecedented local traffic and parking problems.

"This application must be rejected due to non-compliance and incompatibility with the current and desired character of Ettalong Beach village centre.

"We are encouraging the Council to dismiss this application and are advising residents to lodge an objection with Central Coast Council."

SOURCE

DA Tracker, 13 Jan 2020

DA 57779/2019, Central Coast Council

Media release, 30 Jan 2020

Peter Gillis, RRED