Planning panel supports 17m high beachfront rezoning
The Central Coast Local Planning Panel has supported a proposal that would see building heights on beachfront allotments in Ettalong Beach raised to 17 metres.
The panel agreed with "the proposed intent to prepare a Planning Agreement alongside a Planning Proposal" for 43-49 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach.
The proposal will go to tomorrow night's Central Coast Council meeting, based on an application by Parform Pty Ltd, listed as owner of the Ettalong Beach Motel at 46 The Esplanade.
The proposal, which covers separately-owned land at the corner of Picnic Parade, would see the building height of the beachfront allotments increase from 11.5 metres to 17 metres.
The floor space ratio would increase from 1:1 to 1.75:1.
The council agenda states that a single development on six land parcels from 43-46 The Esplanade "could achieve five storeys in height, involving up to 38 residential units and commercial floor space of 1100 square metres" and basement parking for 66 cars.
The matter was not listed on the Panel's agenda for its June 10 meeting, but appeared in the meeting minutes.
The Panel minutes reported that it considered "the report on the matter and the material presented by Council officers at the briefing meeting".
The report and material presented to the Panel were not publicly available.
The proposed changes would affect Lots 117-122 (numbers 43-46) The Esplanade and "increase the maximum building height and floor space ratio on 49 The Esplanade to be consistent with the planning controls approved as part of the State Significant Project Approval (MP 09_0121) for the site.
The Panel supported "the strategic intent of the proposal for redevelopment of this key site and considers that it has site-specific merit.
It stated that 43-46 The Esplanade, Ettalong Beach should be developed as one consolidated lot.
The Panel requested that consideration be given to "public benefits such as affordable housing, through site links and public realm improvements along The Esplanade and Picnic Parade".
"Standards relating to minimum allotment size, minimum frontage and site consolidation must be included within the Local Environment Plan.
"The proposed controls rely on detailed urban design controls being developed in a future Development Control Plan, which should preferably be exhibited alongside the Planning Proposal.
"If this is not possible, then the Development Control Plan should be finalised prior to the gazettal of the amending Local Environment Plan."
The panel stated that the proposal should limit the overshadowing of the beach, public open space and bushland in the area.
It should allow for view sharing to the water from other B2 zoned land in the centre.
It should providing for "acceptable" building separation and setbacks, the panel said.
However, the panel gave no indication of what it regarded as acceptable.
It said that any development should incorporate "active street frontage provisions" and a transition in height to the adjacent low density areas.
It also requested "design excellence", but did not explain what it meant by that.
The minutes reported that panel member Mr Stephen Leathley "did not participate in this matter due to a declaration of a significant non-pecuniary interest".
SOURCE:
Central Coast Local Planning Panel minutes 4.1, 10 Jun 2021