MEETING OF COUNCIL - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTESTUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2013• The proposal is for a two storey dwelling with access to a rear garage via a access wayon the south of the dwelling.• The development also proposes a raised outdoor living area with a swimming pool withinthe primary street setback area. The area is raised to a maximum of 1.534 metres on thesouthern side of the retaining wall and reaches a maximum height above natural groundlevel of approximately 1.424 metres on the northern boundary.Applicant's justificationThe applicant has provided written justification for the variations to the acceptable developmentprovisions relating to street walls and fences and site works.Performance criteria assessmentStreet walls and fencesHeight of solid walls within theprimary street setback areaPerformance criteria:Proposed1.54 metre retaining wallon the northern boundary1.85 metre retaining wallon the southern boundaryAcceptable development provision0.75 metreFront 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 designatedas 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.The lot faces a road reserve between Chipping Road and West Coast Highway and so will nothave any impact on dwellings facing the property. As a result of this street layout, thestreetscape is compromised and has a unique character, not consistent with the surroundinglocality.There is a similar wall constructed on the site directly to the south of the lot and a number ofsimilar retaining walls within the primary street setback area along Chipping Road. Given this itis reasonable to state that the development will not be out of the character of the immediatelocality.There will be an effective area of landscaping with medium shrubs in front of the wall and facingChipping Road. This will reduce the impact of the wall on the streetscape and screen the wallfrom view. The wall itself is proposed as a feature wall, with a blue façade and 'infinity edge'flowing from the pool above to the overflow trough below, behind the landscaping. As a result,the proposal will present a largely 'green' appearance to the streetscape and will not have thesame impact as a blank wall of similar dimensions.In summary, the proposed wall will not have a significant detrimental impact on the streetscapeand in consistent with the immediate surrounding locale.Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed fencing in theprimary street setback area along the Chipping Road boundary satisfies the performancecriteria for the following reasons:-H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\13 MINUTES\FEBRUARY 2013\B DV.DOCX 70