Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTESTUESDAY 26 JUNE 2012Applicant's justificationThe applicant has provided written justification for the variations to the acceptable developmentprovisions relating to the retaining wall variation.Neighbour submissionThe Town notified the owners of the properties adjoining the subject site, being No. 123Grovedale Road to the northern side and No. 304 Salvado Road to the rear (west). Asubmission was received from the owners of No. 123 Grovedale Road objecting to the height ofthe proposed retaining and possible overlooking from the dwelling.Performance criteria assessmentSite worksRetaining and fillPerformance criteria:ProposedMaximum 700 mm highretaining wall on northernside boundaryAcceptable development provisionMaximum 500mm of retaining walland fill.Development that retains the visual impression of the natural level of a site, as seen from thestreet or other public place, or from an adjoining property.The applicant proposes a finished floor level for the proposed dwelling at the same level as theexisting house being 36.1 metres AHD. The applicant proposes to construct a retaining wallalong the northern side and western rear boundaries with a top of wall height of 35.95 metresAHD. This proposed retaining wall does not exceed more than 500 metres along the majorityof the two boundaries except for approximately the last 8 metres towards the rear boundarywhere it reaches a maximum height of 700mm along the northern side boundary.It is considered that the proposed variation is minor and that the vast majority of the levelsnominated for the site retain the visual impression of the natural level as seen from the streetand from the two adjoining properties.The proposed levels of fill and retaining along the side and rear boundary will also preventoverlooking from the proposed west and north facing windows of the new dwelling which will beconstructed to a similar level once a 1.8 metre dividing fence is placed above it.Overall in view of the above comments, it is considered that the proposed height of fill adjacentto the northern side boundary is acceptable and does satisfy with the performance criteria forthe following reason:-• retains the visual impression of the natural level of the site as seen from the street andadjoining properties as the majority of the retaining along the boundaries is below500mm.H:\CEO\GOV\COUNCIL MINUTES\12 MINUTES\JUNE 2012\B DV.DOCX 37