By Parker McKenzie
A planning application for double story townhouses in Tecoma will head to a tribunal despite a decision to reject it by council.
While Yarra Ranges Council rejected the application on the grounds of “neighbourhood character” and the objections of nearby residents, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) will hear an application because council failed to make a decision within 60 days under Section 79 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
The proposed planning application for the double-story townhouses at 1 Rocksleigh Avenue Tecoma faced objections from nearby residents.
Planning consultant David Bailey spoke in objection to the refusal of the planning application on behalf of the applicant.
“The opposition is that the application has responded to neighbourhood character by its detached form and the brick and weatherboard cladding,” he said.
“The proposal has relatively low site coverage and a high degree of permeability.”
Local resident Mark Francis supported council’s rejection of the planning application.
“We and our neighbours are concerned the future impacts of this building development if it goes ahead as planned,” he said.
“The proposal next door is for four double-story townhouses. We believe the double story townhouses proposal unnecessary to the landscape and the ambiance of our local area,
“We also feel it will impact our privacy and impact any view we have the surrounding area.”
He also said it would set precedent of similar building projects in the future and proposed the building of four single story dwellings as an alternative.
Overall there were 11 objections and three submissions of support, with all 11 objections being received from residents living within 300 metres of the proposed development.
Deputy Mayor Cr Joanna Skelton moved to refuse the application, which was seconded by Cr David Eastham.
“I think my thoughts on this are as per the planning recommendation and my key concerns are around neighbourhood character and incremental growth.” Cr Skelton said.
“What the community would have wanted as a part of that planning and development overlay in that area is not to jump straight from predominately single story dwellings to four double story dwellings.”
No councillors spoke in objection to the motion and it was carried.
It is currently unclear when the application will be heard by VCAT.
