Conditional approval for $2m apartment block in Clarkson

PLANS for a $2 million apartment block in Clarkson received conditional approval last month, provided the applicant removes visitor parking bays and adds more landscaping.

The North West Metropolitan Development Assessment Panel approved plans for the 13-apartment residential development at 142-144 Celebration Boulevard on January 23.

While a City of Wanneroo report recommended refusal, or approval if the plot ratio was reduced, specialist panel member Fred Zuideveld successfully moved an amended motion to approve it with minor changes.

Mr Zuideveld deleted the requirement for the plot ratio to meet the R-Codes for the area and added a condition that the two visitor bays be deleted from plans, with the bin storage area shifted to that space and extra landscaping included.

During discussion, he said visitor bays could be provided in Hatton Lane instead, and visiting cars could reverse into the driveway to the gated basement carpark.

The City’s planning implementation co-ordinator Jay Naidoo said developers usually had to provided visitor bays on site, though in this case two on-street bays on Celebration Boulevard had allowed some discretion.

Apart from the two visitor bays, the plans include 20 parking bays for residents, including four in tandem configurations.

The three-storey development will have six one-bedroom units and seven two-bedroom units ranging from 50sq m to 81sq m.

MJA Studio Architects claimed advantages of the location included its close proximity to Clarkson Station and shops along Ocean Keys Boulevard, plus its northern aspect facing on to Cherokee Park.

Architect Alan White said it would appear to be a two-storey building from Celebration Boulevard and incorporated energy efficient design principles.

“This is an affordable housing project,” he said.

“Nine of the 13 apartments face north over the adjacent parkland (Cherokee Park).”

During discussion about reducing the plot ratio, Now Living project manager Jessica Reid said reducing the number of units would make the project “unfeasible”.

“If we were to reduce the yield, we wouldn’t be able to develop the site,” she said.

Mr White said reducing the size of the apartments would affect the amenity for people living in them.

Councillors Frank Cvitan and Russell Driver voted against the initial amendment, citing concerns the increased plot ratio could set a precedent for other high-density developments.

Specialist panel member Paul Dreschler said there was a “paucity of landscaping” and presiding member Karen Hyde moved an amendment to the landscaping condition, requiring plans to include a “deep root zone” for trees and a communal open space.

The plans were advertised for public comment late last year, with three submissions lodged – two of those objected to the proposed development.

Submitters’ concerns included the high density, impact of construction work, access off Hatton Lane and increased traffic.