Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 2012
DV12.98
REVISED POLICY 6.5 - PRECINCT P5 WEST LEEDERVILLE - PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS TO WEST LEEDERVILLE PRECINCT POLICY FOR
ADOPTION BY COUNCIL FOR READVERTISING
SUMMARY:
The West Leederville Planning and Urban Design Study was concluded in December 2010
and since this time, focus has shifted towards drafting the necessary Town Planning
Scheme amendments to implement the study. Whilst progress is being made with these
Town Planning Scheme amendments, the initiation of a comprehensive amendment is some
time away.
In the meantime, to provide clarity in regard to the assessment of development applications,
particularly where there were inconsistencies between the West Leederville Study and
current Scheme provisions, Policy 6.5 - Precinct P5: West Leederville has been amended to
reflect the findings of the West Leederville Study.
It is noted this interim amendment to the precinct policy only addresses built form and
development standards for properties within the study area already zoned Commercial.
Changes to zoning of properties and the introduction of specific land use classifications, can
only occur through the statutory Town Planning Scheme amendment process, requiring the
approval of the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and Minister for Planning.
The review of the Policy, undertaken through the Town Planning Scheme Review Steering
Committee, has focused on the Cambridge High Street and Southport Street Nodes, defined
by the West Leederville Planning and Urban Design Study. Whilst maintaining the broad
intent of the Policy, a number of changes have been made to development standards, as
well as strengthening certain wording to more clearly express the intent of the Policy
provisions.
The modified Policy has now undergone a number of revisions and has previously been
considered by Council at its meetings on 27 March and 26 June 2012. Since that time it has
transpired that further drafting and formatting changes to further strengthen its effect would
be required. In this regard the Town Planning Scheme Review Steering Committee has
continued to give consideration to the development provisions, refinement of wording and
formatting. The Council is now requested to adopt the current draft Policy for the purpose of
readvertising.
Initial advertising of the draft Policy as required under the Scheme occurred in January 2012
and resulted in the evaluation of public submissions. It was therefore considered that
subsequent versions of the Policy did not require further advertising under the Scheme
provisions as public comments had been taken into account. However, the outcome of a
number of subsequent revisions has resulted in a document that is somewhat different to
that originally advertised for public comment and to that previously adopted by Council.
Readvertising is therefore strongly recommended. This will ensure transparency in regard to
the process of adopting the Policy, as required under the Scheme, and strength of the Policy
in regard to its legal soundness.
Revocation of the current Policy is not recommended at this point. The current Policy
(adopted by Council in June 2012) should stand until the readvertising process is completed.
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