Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 2012
Upper roof deck
The upper roof deck is proposed to be located in the rear setback area. The dwelling under
construction has been approved with a rear setback ranging from 1.187 to 7 metres.
Justification for approving the variation to the rear setback acceptable development
requirement was that the northern boundary acts as a side boundary to the neighbour to the
north and hence that dwelling is located close to the common boundary.
The proposed upper roof deck is to the south of the adjoining property (rear), and therefore it
will not increase overshadowing, however, as previously stated in the wall height section
above, the upper roof deck will add bulk to the dwelling that will be clearly visible from the
adjoining property to the north. Visual privacy is discussed below. Whilst the northern side
of the deck is brick, the western opening of the deck is set back from Tumut Road and will
have views into the adjoining property to the rear (north).
Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed setback of the
upper roof deck from the northern (rear) boundary is not acceptable and does not satisfy the
performance criteria for the following reasons:-
• the proposed upper roof deck does not assist in ameliorating the impacts of building
bulk on the adjoining property to the north (rear) and does not assist in protecting
privacy between the subject site and the adjoining property to the north.
Shed
The plans show a brick shed in the north-eastern corner of the property, adjacent to the
boundaries. The shed is 4.224 metres long on the northern boundary and 4.124metres long
on the eastern boundary. The roof will be a low pitched skillion roof, with the lowest point
adjacent to the northern (rear) boundary. The height of the shed will range from 2.5 metres
to 3.0 metres.
The backyard will be cut into the site and in the location of the proposed shed, the ground
level will be lower than the natural ground levels of the adjoining properties to the north and
east. The bulk impact of the shed on the adjoining properties to the north and east is
therefore reduced. The owner of the adjoining property to the east has no objection to the
shed, and the owner of the adjoining property to the north has not submitted comments on
the proposal.
Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed nil setback of the
shed from the northern (rear) and eastern side boundary is acceptable and satisfies the
performance criteria for the following reasons:-
• the shed is relatively small with a low pitched skillion roof and will be finished to match
the dwelling
• the shed will be cut into the site, thereby reducing its height and bulk impact on the
adjoining properties to the north and east.
A condition can be imposed to ensure that the surface finish of boundary walls facing the
adjoining properties are rendered, painted or face brickwork to the satisfaction of the Town.
H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\12 MINUTES\AUGUST 2012\B DV.DOCX 52