ordinary meeting of council to be held on tuesday, 26 april 2005 at ...

Ordinary Meeting <strong>of</strong> Council - 26 April 2005 20 / 28
1 & 1A Lamond Drive, 1444 &
1444A Pacific Highway,
Turramurra
Item 20
DA1099/04
13 April 2005
Context:
‘SEPP 65 : Good design responds and contributes <strong>to</strong> its context…Responding <strong>to</strong> context
involves identifying the desirable elements <strong>of</strong> a location’s current character, or, in the
case <strong>of</strong> precincts undergoing a transition, the desired future character as stated in
planning and design policies.’
The natural environment, forming a major part <strong>of</strong> the context for this development, consists <strong>of</strong>
extensive areas <strong>of</strong> high canopy trees, including blue gums, which create a strong sense <strong>of</strong> the natural
environment as a setting for the development.
The combination <strong>of</strong> the 4.6 s<strong>to</strong>rey building height, the shallow setback, the long facade and the
white colour will make this development very prominent in the streetscapes <strong>of</strong> Lamond Drive and
Pacific Highway. All other existing buildings in the area are either detached houses in a substantial
landscape setting or medium density developments set substantially back from the road <strong>be</strong>hind
substantial landscaping.
The development will <strong>be</strong> highly visible from the street due <strong>to</strong> its height, setbacks, length and lack <strong>of</strong>
substantial landscaping. This prominence will <strong>be</strong> exacerbated by the light colour <strong>of</strong> the facades.
The facades are comprised almost entirely <strong>of</strong> light coloured, painted render, with some small
amount <strong>of</strong> concrete block and tim<strong>be</strong>r. It is recommended that a far greater percentage <strong>of</strong> the facades
is <strong>of</strong> materials and finishes, as descri<strong>be</strong>d <strong>be</strong>low under "Aesthetics", that <strong>be</strong>tter relate the building <strong>to</strong>
its natural setting and the existing built form. (see reason for refusal re 2.7)
Scale:
‘SEPP 65: Good design provides an appropriate scale in terms <strong>of</strong> the bulk and height
that suits the scale <strong>of</strong> the street and the surrounding buildings. Establishing an
appropriate scale requires a considered response <strong>to</strong> the scale <strong>of</strong> existing development.
In precincts undergoing transition proposed bulk and height needs <strong>to</strong> achieve the scale
identified for the desired future character <strong>of</strong> the area.’
The building height complies with LEP 194 and is acceptable. However, the close proximity <strong>of</strong> the
Lamond Drive façade <strong>to</strong> the street, and the considerable 72m length <strong>of</strong> the building will accentuate
its prominence in the street. The proposed building will <strong>be</strong> out <strong>of</strong> scale with the existing detached
dwellings and intended built form envisaged by DCP 55. While any 4.6 s<strong>to</strong>rey building <strong>of</strong> this
density would <strong>be</strong> out <strong>of</strong> scale with its smaller, adjoining neighbours, the extent <strong>of</strong> this development
<strong>be</strong>ing unsympathetic is emphasised by its close proximity <strong>to</strong> the front boundary and its long,
relatively unarticulated façade <strong>to</strong> Lamond Drive. (Refer reason for refusal No 2).
Built form:
N:\050426-OMC-PR-03122-1 1A LAMOND DRIVE 1444.doc/cswanepoel/28