A final decision over a five-storey building for 12 flats at The Entrance has been paused to give the developer a chance to address several grounds which warrant refusal of the project.
Central Coast Council recommended that the Local Planning Panel reject the development on the vacant lot at 16 Bayview Avenue but instead it deferred the matter while the developer reviews its plans and provides more information.
The proposed development comprises 12 units – four one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom – over four levels with rooftop open communal space and one level of basement parking for 16 vehicles.
Council considers the building unsatisfactory mainly because of its non-compliance in relation to height and boundary setbacks; impacts on neighbours including visual privacy, building separation and over-shadowing; non-compliance with the Apartment Design Guide in relation to room sizes, private and communal open space for potential residents; and lack of soft landscaping on the site.
A Council report says that the proposal is an unsuitable design and there isn’t adequate information in the development application to undertake a full and proper assessment, including insufficient information to address adverse amenity and other impacts such as noise, over-shadowing (especially 12 Bayview Ave), privacy, waste management and carpark design.
When the Panel considered the proposal its preliminary view was that the development was compatible with the bulk, height and scale of the existing and future character of the immediate streetscape and the height was in keeping with the established building height of adjoining four and eight storey buildings.
Although the front setback to the street doesn’t comply, the Panel said it was consistent with established building lines of adjoining developments and north, south and west boundary setbacks appeared to be adequate given the proximity of buildings to the boundary on adjoining lots.
The Panel has requested further information, including shadow diagrams, relating to over-shadowing impacts from developments to the north to fully assess amenity issues at 16 Bayview Avenue and adjoining sites to the south.
The long-term liveability of the building needs to be addressed including EV charging ports and associated infrastructure in the garage area, the Panel said.
Sue Murray