Application made for 'front-to-back' dual occupancy
An application has been made to Central Coast Council for a dual occupancy at 163 West St, Umina.
The application describes it as a "front-to-back", rather a "side-by-side", dual occupancy, with "a single-storey dwelling at the front and a two storey-dwelling to the rear".
The site is 730.5 square metres in area and is zoned R1 General Residential.
The application is also for a Torrens Title subdivision into two lots of 360.6 square metres and of 369.9 square metres.
The application states: "The single-storey front dwelling includes a traditional front entry porch addressing the street, and landscaping with a single garage, three bedrooms, bathrooms and an open kitchen-dining-living with adjoining alfresco private open space with pool area to the rear.
"The rear two-storey dwelling includes a double garage, four bedrooms, living areas, kitchen, parking accommodation, open spaces and landscaping to provide a suitable detached dual occupancy development.
"The garage would be accessed from a right-of-way allowing access to West St.
"The lower floor includes a large open kitchen-dining and living area that adjoins an alfresco and private open space area that includes a small swimming pool.
"Both dwellings would be slab footing construction with traditional timber framing and a combination of external cladding, powder-coated aluminium windows and Colorbond roofing."
The application claims the subdivided lot size "would be commensurate, if not larger than, the lot sizes that have been established in the immediate vicinity".
It also claims compliance with the planning provisions, apart from a "slight encroachment on the upper floor on unit two".
The application asks for a variation to be granted, stating: "The proposal is within the 8.5 metre height limit.
"However, a minor section of the eave protrudes outside the side setback envelope.
"The area outside the envelope does not create a privacy or views impacts nor entails the sunlight access to be non-complaint with shadowing during the winter months.
"The departure is negligible and would not involve additional amenity impacts when compared to a complaint scheme."
The application claims the "front-to-back" style of dual occupancy was superior to a side-by-side layout.
The application states it is proposed the front dwelling would have a garage fronting the street with cars reversing out, while the rear dwelling "includes a turning area to allow forward egress".
Referring to planning provisions requiring access to the road in a forward direction, the application argues: "The existing dwelling house and future dwelling houses that can have a double garage entail a greater number of vehicles to reverse out from the site when compared to the proposal.
"The front and back battle-axe design provides suitable delineation of parking and access and negates conflict of simultaneous access at the cross-over."
"A side-by-side dual occupancy development would entail the removal of the mature box gum tree fronting the site, similar to the approval of the side-by-side dual occupancy at 83 Booker Bay Rd, Booker Bay.
"The front and back battle-axe design negates stacked parking and conflict with visitors parking in the common crossing from the road reserve.
"The detached front-to-back dual occupancy type provides a greater amenity in terms of facade presentation than a typical side-by-side dual occupancy development that is typically dominated by monolithic garage presentation, which can be approved on this site with a complying development.
"The frontage of the site is located on a straight and has compliant sight lines.
"The alternative to include a parking bay behind the front dwelling house would increase impermeable surface, reduce soft cover landscaping opportunities and destroy the private open space area for dwelling one."
The application claims: "This dual occupancy proposal meets the relevant planning controls and allows more affordable housing stock that is required to fulfill the dire need for additional housing stock in the Central Coast.
"Such a proposal squarely meets the overarching objectives 'to encourage housing diversity without adversely impacting on residential amenity'."
The application is currently on public exhibition, closing for written submissions on February 9.
SOURCE:
DA Tracker, 20 Jan 2024
DA/11/2024, Central Coast Council