MEETING OF COUNCIL - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTESTUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2013Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed garage doors areacceptable and satisfy with the performance criteria for the following reason:-• the greater setback of the garage, overhanging balconies and landscaping in the frontsetback area combine to reduce the dominance of the garage on the streetscape.Vehicular accessProposedAcceptable development provisionSetback from a street tree 0.7 metres from the north 1.5 metresdwelling drivewayWidth of a driveway 55% Maximum 40%Performance criteria:Vehicular access provided so as to minimise the number of crossovers, avoid street trees, to besafe in use and not detract from the streetscape.The proposed driveways to the double garages are 4.5 metres wide in the front setback area.There is an existing street tree located between the two driveways. The Town’s InfrastructureServices has inspected the street tree and determined that the tree is in a good condition andthere is no reason to remove the tree. According to the drawings, the tree is greater than 1.0metre from the south dwelling’s driveway, but closer than 1.0 metre from the north dwelling’sdriveway. Whilst the tree is closer than the minimum requirement of 1.5 metres, due to the sizeof the tree the proposed setback of 0.7 metres is considered acceptable in this particularcircumstance. Of more important note is that the area available between the proposedcrossovers has a width of 2.6 metres, which is a more than adequate area available if theexisting tree is damaged and requires replacing.With regard to the width of the driveways, the width is less than a standard double driveway, inorder to accommodate more landscaping in the front setback area. The applicant has advisedthat this landscaping will be planted with mature vegetation to ensure a soft green aesthetic isprojected to the street. It is considered in this particular instance, the width of the drivewaysare acceptable. There will be a loss of a street parking bay, however, there is sufficient spacefor a visitor to park on site, on the driveway in front of the garages, due to the greater setbackof the garages from the street.Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed vehicular access isacceptable and satisfies the performance criteria for the following reasons:-• the width of the driveway, street tree between the driveways and the provision oflandscaping in the front setback area will combine to reduce the impact of the drivewayson the streetscape.Landscaping in the front setback areaLandscaping in the frontsetback areaProposedAcceptable development provision45% Minimum 60%H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\13 MINUTES\FEBRUARY 2013\B DV.DOCX 37