Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 2012
delegated authority plans for a two storey dwelling on the subdivided block across the road,
on the corner of Windarra Drive and Tumut Road (No. 19 Windarra Drive). This dwelling has
a maximum ridge height of approximately 8.0 metres. The Town has not yet received an
application for the adjoining lot (No. 7 Tumut Road). Due to the site works involved with the
subdivision, it is highly unlikely that variations to the building height acceptable development
provisions would be approved on any of the subdivided lots across the road from the subject
site.
It should be noted that in response to concerns raised about a number of large, three storey,
recent developments in City Beach, the Building Height Policy was amended in May 2009 to
adopt the more stringent R Codes acceptable development provisions for overall height
(reduction from 10.5 metres to 9.0 metres for ridges longer than 6 metres). The Building
Height Policy was again amended in May 2011 to include size restrictions for dormers.
The intent of revising the Building Height Policy to a lower maximum overall height restriction
and to a size restriction on dormers is to effectively limit development to two storeys and
allow roof space for general storage only rather than a usable floor with a habitable room
such as that proposed here.
It is acknowledged that obtaining and keeping views is a significant issue affecting
development in City Beach. Dispensing with the height requirements (performance criteria)
to allow the applicant to get better views is not considered appropriate. The performance
criteria are intended to facilitate alternative design solutions which result in comparable or
better outcomes than what the acceptable development provisions provide. In this particular
case, the proposed third storey is not likely to provide similar or better outcomes for the
streetscape and the neighbouring properties than the acceptable development provisions. It
is considered the proposed third storey does not satisfy the above performance criteria and
is therefore not supported.
Overall, in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed building height
shown on the plans does not satisfy the performance criteria on the following grounds:-
• the increased height and bulk of the dwelling will result in negative impacts on the
streetscape and the amenity of the neighbouring properties, particularly access to
views of significance.
POLICY/STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS:
There are no policy or statutory implications related to this report. The proposal was
assessed against the provisions of the Residential Design Codes (R Codes), Town Planning
Scheme No.1, and the Town Planning Scheme Policy Manual.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications related to this report.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION:
Consideration of this application is consistent with the Town's Strategic Plan 2009-2020 for
the priority area 'Planning for our Community'.
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