Exceptional multi-unit proposal complies with setbacks
Central Coast Council has received an application for a multi-dwelling development in Ettalong which complies with boundary setback planning requirements.
The application for six "detached" three-bedroom town-houses over two lots at 114-116 Barrenjoey Rd, Ettalong Beach, is exceptional in not requesting variations for non-compliant setbacks.
It also retains two existing trees on the site.
Four units will have garages accessible from a central driveway, while the other two will have garages accessible from the rear lane.
The proposal provides for eight car spaces, which does not comply with planning provision requirements for 10 car spaces, including one visitor space.
It also exceeds the maximum floor space ratio of 0.5:1 defined in the planning provisions, having a ratio of 0.54:1.
"The proposed dwellings provide ground floor private open space areas with plunge pools, internal storage and a space to locate waste collection bins away from the street and clothes drying areas that would be screened from other dwellings and the public domain," according to the application prepared by Clarke Dowdle and Associates.
"The appearance of the building incorporates lightweight appearance with a mixture of weatherboard cladding rather than the more extensive masonry is a prominent feature of the design, all elements identified within the Council's desired character elements for the Ettalong Beach - Medium Density precinct."
The application comments on a "character statement" requirement that multi-unit development be surrounded with "leafy gardens that conserve existing visually-prominent trees, particularly along back fences and street frontages or verges, as well as providing space for new shady trees and shrubs planted as backdrops to new buildings".
It states: "Courtyards are located around the perimeter of the town houses that would provide sufficient deep soil planting to incorporate small to medium street trees, allowing the appropriate landscaping transition from the built form when viewed from the street and neighbouring lots."
More generally, it claims: "The proposal utilises various materials and building articulation to achieve a light weight appearance, and is generally consistent with the desired future character of the locality, being a similar scale and bulk to other multi dwelling housing in the area.
"The proposed development includes a well-considered multi-unit development that will entail the upgrading of older housing stock and would be commensurate with the evolving style and density of multi-unit development within the medium density zone within the Peninsula.
"The proposal maintains reasonable levels of visual amenity for neighbouring properties, and the built form divides up the units to break up bulk and provide visual relief.
"Careful design and material choice provides sufficient boundary setbacks to provide building separation and landscaping opportunities to alleviate the bulk and scale of the built form from the neighbouring properties and public domain."
Commenting on the car space non-compliance, the application states: "The initial design considered prior to submission did include a parking spaces to be located within the rear setback.
"However after further consideration, it was agreed that, given the small scale of the unit development, parking could be covered by the prevalence of unlimited off-street parking along Barrenjoey Rd."
SOURCE:
DA Tracker, 29 Apr 2022
DA 638/2022, Central Coast Council