Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 2012
The alfresco area (7.290 metres in length and 2.5 metres in height) located in the rear
setback area is setback 3.870 metres from the rear (north) boundary. The enclosed portion
of wall to the kitchen on the western side of the dwelling is now setback an acceptable 6.220
metres from the rear (north) boundary. The new setback of 5.0 metres to the alfresco from
the left (west) side boundary provides a staggering of the overall portions of wall on the
western elevation providing articulation and breaking up any perception of building bulk of
the subject wall on the west elevation.
There are no issue relating to overlooking with the privacy between the proposed dwelling
and the adjoining properties protected. As the proposal is for a single storey dwelling the
applicant is seeking a reduction in rear setback in order to achieve the same amount of floor
space as a two storey dwelling. The single storey dwelling has less building bulk and privacy
issues than a two storey may have.
Overall, it is considered that the reduced rear setback satisfies the relevant performance
criteria for the following reason:-
• the alfresco will have minimal impact on direct sun and ventilation to the adjoining
properties and is well set back from both side boundaries.
Site works
Fill within 1 metre of a
common boundary.
Proposed Acceptable development
provision
Maximum height of 0.965 Maximum height of 0.5 metre.
metres on the left (west)
side boundary.
Performance criteria:
Development that retains the visual impression of the natural level of a site, as seen from the
street or other public place, or from an adjoining property.
The floor level of the dwelling is consistent with the average natural ground level of the site.
The proposed retaining wall ranges from 0.425 metres in height at the rear of the left (west)
side boundary up to 0.965 metres in the middle of the western boundary and back down to
0.735 metres from the natural ground level where it abuts the existing 2.2 metre high brick
wall located on the adjoining property to the west.
The proposed fill will retain the natural level of the site as viewed from the street with the
subject property sloping from east to west by approximately 1 metre. It is consistent with
adjoining properties in the immediate locality which have similar height retaining. The
retaining of less than 1.0 metre at the highest point is not considered to have an undue
impact on the adjoining property to the west in terms of building bulk or overshadowing.
Overall, it is considered that the proposed fill on the west (left) side boundary satisfies the
relevant performance criteria for the following reason:-
• retains the visual impression of the natural level of a site, as seen from the street or
other public place, or from an adjoining property.
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