Alma Ave unit is one park short and has no landscaping
A light industrial unit proposed for 27 Alma Ave, Woy Woy, would be built to about 300mm of side and rear boundaries, cover almost three quarters of the site, and would intrude by 1.2 metres into the required front setback of 10 metres.
It would provide only three car parking spaces, where four spaces are required, and have no landscaped area as required by the planning provisions.
The application states that "the land has a width of 12.09m, a depth of 39.625m and a calculated area of 483 square metres".
The proposal is listed on the council planning portal as "industrial units comprising of three units", but the application shows the development of a single unit.
The application states: "The adjoining properties on either side are light industrial buildings with associated on site parking. The land is devoid of any significant vegetation."
The site is zoned E4 General Industrial.
The proposed construction materials are described as "thermally resilient being mainly concrete wall panels and light-coloured steel roof cladding."
"The roof is insulated. The roof has been structurally designed to accommodate the future installation of PV solar panels."
The gross floor area of the proposed building is claimed to be 338.8 square metres giving a proposed floor space ratio of 0.701:1.
The proposed height is 7.5m and the proposed site coverage is 352.8 square metres (73 per cent).
The application quotes planning provisions for site coverage which state that "the extent of built and hardstand areas on site is to be minimised" and "the development footprint is to be augmented by the design, implementation and maintenance of soft landscape works."
In response, the application contends that "Due to the small lot size and narrow frontage, any land not covered by building or hardstand is minimal."
"There are no landscape areas on the adjoining development, or in Alma Avenue generally.
"Any landscape strip provided would soon be turned into unapproved parking."
"The proposed site cover reflects that of the adjoining development and is considered appropriate for the local context."
The application quotes planning provisions which say vegetation and trees should be provided to soften the effects of industrial buildings building.
The response in the application states: "Small and narrow development sites such as these provide limited opportunities for landscaping as is evidenced by the existing development in Alma Ave.
"On such a narrow site, by the time a vehicle access crossing is provided, the minimum five metre landscape component adjoining the front boundary becomes insignificant.
"Given the existing parking issues in the street, it is considered that a parking space better utilises the area to provide off-street parking."
Interestingly, the application later notes a requirement for 3.3 spaces based on gross floor are, which is rounded up to four spaces.
"Three spaces have been provided," the application states
"The minor variation is justified as proposed development also provides parking opportunities within the building due to drive through access being available from both Alma Ave and the lane-way."
In regards to the front setback, it states: "A variation of 1.2 metres to the required 10 metres is proposed."
The application concludes: "The proposed development will have no adverse impact on the local environment and is worthy of consent."
The application is currently on public exhibition but the council website does not state a closing date for submissions.
SOURCE:
DA Tracker, 26 Jan 2025
DA/2110/2024, Central Coast Council