MEETING OF COUNCIL - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTESTUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2013Where these are used, they should be integrated with the building design and have minimalimpact on residents’ or neighbours’ amenity.Where opposite windows are offset from the edge of one window to the edge of another, thedistance of the offset should be sufficient to limit views into adjacent windows.The bedroom 5 window faces the rear of the lot and so is perpendicular to the southernboundary of the lot. As a result, direct overlooking of the adjacent lot to the right has beenavoided and so the impact of the proposed window on the privacy of the adjoining neighboursis minimal.There is a relatively large tree located along the boundary of the neighbouring lot which will actto screen the window from view of the outdoor living area on the adjacent lot to the south. Thiswill protect the privacy of the adjoining neighbour to the south and ensure the proposedbedroom 5 window does not have a significant impact on their amenity.Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed setback of thebedroom 5 window, within the cone of vision, from the right/southern boundary satisfies theperformance criteria for the following reasons:-• direct overlooking of outdoor living area of the adjoining dwelling is minimised by buildinglayout and location of major openings; and• the proposed bedroom 5 window will not have a significant impact on the privacy of theadjoining neighbour to the south.The balcony overlooks the roof of the adjoining dwelling and will not have any significant impacton the privacy of the adjoining neighbours to the north. The area of the dwelling on the adjacentlot that the balcony will overlook comprises of a garage, laundry and bathroom and so will notbe active habitable spaces where privacy is integral. In addition, the area of open space thatthe balcony overlooks on the adjacent lot is in the primary street setback area and so would bevisible from the street.The balcony has a positive impact on the streetscape providing passive surveillance of thestreet and improving the amenity of the local area.Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed setback of thebalcony, within the cone of vision, from the left/northern boundary satisfies the performancecriteria for the following reasons:-• direct overlooking of active habitable areas of the adjoining dwelling is minimised bybuilding layout and location outdoor living areas; and• the proposed balcony will not have a significant impact on the privacy of the adjoiningneighbour to the south.POLICY/STATUTORY IMPLICATIONS:There are no policy or statutory implications related to this report. The proposal was assessedagainst the provisions of the Residential Design Codes (R Codes), Town Planning SchemeNo.1, and the Town Planning Scheme Policy Manual.FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:There are no financial implications related to this report.H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\13 MINUTES\FEBRUARY 2013\B DV.DOCX 67