MEETING OF COUNCIL - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2012
• The proposal is for infill panels on an existing front fence surrounding a landscaped
area in the front setback. The fence is solid to a height of 0.7 metres with infill panels
above to 1.8 metres. The piers in between reach 1.8 metres in height and are 300mm
wide. The infill panels of the fencing will be 60mm slats with a 40mm gap which is an
open to solid ratio of 1:1.5.
• The fence will be truncated along the southern side, adjacent the existing driveway on
the lot and the north-eastern side, adjacent the neighbours driveway.
Applicant's justification
The applicant has provided written justification for the variations to the acceptable
development provisions relating to street walls and fences. A copy of the applicant’s
justification is available for viewing by Elected Members.
Performance criteria assessment
Street walls and fences
Infill panels open to solid
ratio
Proposed
Acceptable development
provision
1:1.5 1:1
Performance criteria:
Front walls and fences to promote surveillance and enhance streetscape, taking account of:
• the need to provide protection from noise and headlight glare where roads are
designated as primary or district distributors or integrator arterials; or
• the need to provide screening to the front setback; or
• the need to provide privacy to north facing outdoor living areas.
Open view fencing is essential in creating attractive residential streets and creating a safe,
friendly environment for pedestrians and children. It is only in the most extenuating
circumstances that variations to Council policy can be supported.
The Grove is a suburban road servicing local residents and is not designated as a primary or
district distributor, or integrator arterial road. It is not a high traffic volume road. The subject
site is located four lots from the nearest traffic intersection and has a 4.0 metre setback to
the primary street boundary, with the major outdoor living area on the lot being located on
the rear/north-western side of the site. Consequently, there is little need to provide protection
from noise and headlight glare, nor screening for privacy to the front setback area.
The proposal open to solid ratio of the infill panels of 1:1.5 will result in a reduction in the
permeability of the fence from the previous approval of an open to solid ratio 1:1. The
proposed infill panels on the front fence would therefore be contrary to Council's intent for
open, landscaped streetscapes.
The Council resolved to review the Town's Street Walls and Fences Policy at its meeting
held on 22 May 2012 (DV12.58 Review of Fencing Policy) with specific reference to a review
of the 1:1 open/solid permeability ratio. Subsequently, the Town's Administration has
examined the suitability of 1:1 permeability and considers that the open component should
be increased (where fences are greater than 1.2 metres in height).
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