More than 30 people, including representatives from Handle Property Group (HPG) and City of Vincent staff, attended a public forum for the proposal last Saturday.
HPG is the developer of the Bizwest Corporation Pty Ltd and Tripleview Holdings Pty Ltd-owned land.
After community members presented their concerns at the forum, HPG managing director Peter Burke agreed to make some changes to the proposal.
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READ NOW‘We agreed to reduce the height on Stuart Street from five and four storeys to four and three storeys,’ he said.
‘The corner of Stuart and Palmerston streets will be reduced from four to three storeys and we agreed to move the rooftop terrace away from the corner of Stuart and Palmerston streets.
‘Everyone in the meeting voted unanimously for the changes.’
Palmerston Precinct Group spokesman Peter Holcz said he was glad progress had been made but still felt that the density at the 125-unit development was too high.
‘The overall appearance (of the plan) does look attractive with respect to finish and design,’ he said.
‘However, it is the massive scale that is of major concern.’
Mr Holcz said the group would not have a problem with the development if it had fewer units or if the development was moved further down the street.
The proposed development will go to the Metro West Joint Development Assessment Panel for determination, after the public consultation period closed yesterday.
City of Vincent acting chief executive Rick Lotznicker said the zoning for the area usually permitted three storeys but a further two storeys were allowed if ‘design excellence is achieved under the City’s Exercise of Discretion Policy’.
‘The City’s Design Advisory Committee considers that this proposal has achieved design excellence and therefore the five storeys on this site are acceptable,’ he said.
HPG senior project manager Andrew de Haas said the demand for one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments was very high in Northbridge.
‘The size of the site and proximity to Northbridge, parks and infrastructure make it an excellent site for this style of development,’ he said.
‘Some advertising material has been produced and expressions of interest have been received.
‘Quite a few EOIs have come about due to the plans being distributed as a result of the council’s mandatory advertising period but no contracts have been entered into.’
See Opinion page 6