PLANNING PROPOSAL - FORMER BELROSE LIBRARY SITE
Council received a Planning Proposal on behalf of the owners of the former Belrose Library site to amend Warringah Local Environmental Plan 2011 (WLEP2011) to increase the maximum height of buildings permitted on the site from 8.5 metres to part 9 metres and part 15 metres, and to allow “multi dwelling housing” and “residential flat building” as additional permitted uses.
The Planning Proposal is accompanied by a “Statement of Proposed Public Benefits” (Attachment 1) listing certain potential benefits which may be proposed to be delivered through a future VPA, including pedestrian connections; a plaza adjoining commercial land uses; green space/ park land; and affordable housing. The Planning Proposal and associated documentation was publically exhibited for 14 days from Saturday 26 August 2017 to Sunday 10 September 2017. Two hundred and three (203) submissions were received objecting to the Proposal and 2 submissions received in support.
The main issues raised were loss of character, excessive height and density, and traffic and parking issues. The Proposal to increase the maximum permissible building height on the site is not supported. However an amended Planning Proposal, allowing for the additional residential uses on that part of the site fronting Lockwood Avenue is generally supported, subject to maintaining requirements for a proportion of commercial floorspace on the land and subject to the negotiation of a final VPA offer from the proponent as outlined above. A draft amended Planning Proposal is at Attachment 2. The applicant, by letter dated 23 October 2017, has agreed to the submission of an amended Planning Proposal. The Planning Proposal for 28 Lockwood Avenue, Belrose was reported to Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 28 November 2017 at which time Council resolved: “That the item be deferred to the 19 December 2017 ordinary Council meeting”
PLANNING PROPOSAL AND OFFER FOR FUTURE VOLUNTARY PLANNING AGREEMENT IN RELATION TO 28 LOCKWOOD AVENUE BELROSE (FORMER BELROSE LIBRARY SITE) 210/17
RESOLVED Cr Harrison / Cr Sprott
That Council:
A. Does not support a Planning Proposal which changes the height standard for 28 Lockwood Avenue, Belrose.
B. Supports an amended Planning Proposal which:
a. Permits additional land uses of “residential flat building” and “multi dwelling housing” on that part of the land fronting Lockwood Avenue only.
b. Prohibits the granting of development consent for a residential flat building or multi dwelling housing on the land unless a minimum Floor Space Ratio of 0.5:1 is provided on the site for commercial premises.
C. Negotiates and finalises a formal Voluntary Planning Agreement offer from the proponent which addresses pedestrian connections through the site, the provision of affordable rental housing, public space, and retention of green space to be included with the exhibition of the Planning Proposal following the Gateway Determination.
VOTING FOR: Crs Amon, Bingham, Daley, De Luca, Ferguson, Grattan, Harrison, Heins, McTaggart, Philpott, Regan, Sprott, Warren and White
AGAINST: Cr Walton
CARRIED
