Council approves West St application

Gosford Council has approved the development of a building in West St, Umina, with four shops and five residential units, despite objections from two local residents.

Mr Bruce Doidge said he had lived on the property adjoining the development for 10 years.

"We are very concerned with the run off at the end of the development," Mr Doidge said.

Mr Doidge asked the council to rework the kerbs on the side of the road and rework the drainage so it could flow further down the street and not affect his property.

"I'm just concerned that the bottomless pit drains do not work," Mr Doidge said.

The development plan showed that the applicant had only to kerb and gutter to the end of 3 Rickard St, which Mr Doidge believed may affect his driveway.

The council report stated that "where the kerbing and guttering is to terminate in Rickard St a 'bottomless' pit will be required."

Umina activist Mr Ed James also spoke against the development, citing the encroachment of the property as an issue.

"I just think it's time for councillors to not consider a development if it doesn't fit on the site," Mr James said.

Mr James also noted the lack of a dedicated loading dock as another concern, stating that it would cause delivery trucks to double park.

"Commercial activities that are conducted where vehicles are parked illegally are dangerous," Mr James said.

"With any commercial development, the parking and the loading docks need to be onsite so that the worker, delivery driver and public can be indemnified in the event of an accident."

Cr Terri Latella said that during an onsite inspection of the site, it was clarified that there would be a loading dock, but questioned a council report that stated that the "absence" of a designated loading dock was not considered critical.

Council's development assessment unit manager Mr Gary Lofts stated that there was in fact no designated loading dock, only a loading area.

"A loading dock would imply a platform.

"This is just somewhere for a vehicle to park," Mr Lofts said.

Mr Lofts also admitted that, while making it a condition that deliveries be made through the rear of the premises, it would be "highly unlikely" that council could enforce such a condition.

The report by council officers stated that "the commercial tenancies are only small and are likely to attract tenants that generate smaller delivery vehicles".

"It is anticipated that these smaller delivery vehicles will simply compete with other vehicles in the vicinity for parking."

The development is at 3 Rickard St and 204 West St, Umina Beach, which is currently used as a car sales yard.

The proposal includes a garden courtyard at ground level, roofed verandahs on the residential units facing Rickard St and has a height appearance of a two storeys.

The footpath will also "be wide enough to allow some pavement dining".

The development was approved at Gosford Council's meeting of September 13.

Lyle Stone, September 13 Council agenda ENV.22, September 13