BAYSWATER Council has given its final approval to change the residential density zoning of a vacant site on Guildford Road to allow for a four to six storey apartment building.
Councillors voted 8-1 for a proposed amendment to the City’s Town Planning Scheme No.24 to rezone Lot 22, 454 Guildford Road, Bayswater from a density code of R40 to R80 at last night’s committee meeting.
The WA Planning Commission will make the final decision on the proposed scheme amendment.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWApplicant Planning Solutions had proposed to modify the zoning to a density code of RAC3, which proposed a height limit of six storeys and a plot ratio of 2:0.
But City officers rejected this proposal as the R80 provisions allowed for four to six storeys and plot ratio of 1:0.
Planning Solutions could receive a bonus of two storeys, subject to the development being exemplary, as determined by the City’s Design Review Panel.
The 3069 sq m site, a former petrol station, has been vacant for 24 years.
Planning Solutions senior planner Jesse Dunbar addressed council about the how the RAC3 density code would provide flexibility to develop the site to a full six-storey height limit.
“The bulk and scale of the building and any other associated issues – overshadowing, privacy and access to natural daylight can be appropriately addressed in the local development plan required to be prepared for the site,” she said.
“In our view, there is minimal risk in supporting RAC3 density coding as proposed, given the measures provided for under the applicable special controlled area will guarantee an appropriate and sensible outcome for the site.”
Cr Catherine Ehrhardt, who voted against, said in order for the development to achieve exemplary design, the zoning needed to be under RAC3 not R80.
Cr Barry McKenna said it was a “prominent site” and the council wanted developments with good design.
“It was not that long ago that this area was two storeys,” he said.
“Now, we are trying to progressively to upmarket Bayswater – we want quality housing stock.”