Belmont Mayor Phil Marks with the plan for Belvidere Street.
Camera IconBelmont Mayor Phil Marks with the plan for Belvidere Street. Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek        www.communitypix.com.au d449484

City of Belmont flags Belvidere Street upgrade

Joel KellySouthern Gazette

Many of the old single-storey buildings along Belvidere Street are likely to be demolished to make way for new mixed-use buildings to rejuvenate the town centre.

New planning guidelines aimed at facilitating redevelopment along the main street between Leake and Somers streets have been released for public comment.

Once approved, new developments in the Belvidere Street retail centre could be up to three storeys at street edge and up to five storeys if set back.

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There will also be guidelines to ensure ground floors are pedestrian-friendly, with provision for continuous awnings, alfresco dining areas, improved lighting and landscaping.

The City of Belmont wants to see architectural standards such as clear ground level frontages to reflect a busy main street and bold corner building designs.

One major landowner in the area is hoping to redevelop once the design guidelines are finalised. This would involve moving the IGA Supermarket to the vacant land at the southern corner of Belvidere Street and Keymer Street and redeveloping the old IGA site.

Belmont chief executive Stuart Cole said landowners supported the plan.

“The Belvidere Main Street Precinct guidelines provide a clear vision for future development, as well as the intentions of council with respect to public realm improvements,” he said.

“This provides greater understanding and surety for developers who are looking to invest in the area.”

The guidelines require an amendment to the local planning scheme so all land within the precinct is zoned special development precinct.

The new vision requires private developers to come forward with development applications for building while City of Belmont will invest in the area’s streetscape.

City funds will eventually need to cover the cost of installing underground powerlines along Belvidere Street.

Mr Cole said a substantial portion of the commercial development would need to proceed for the underground power to be feasible.

“At this early stage it is difficult to estimate the cost,” he said.

The City anticipates the guidelines will be finished in the next few months and the associated planning scheme amendment by mid-year. Once the planning scheme amendment is gazetted, the City can entertain redevelopment within the precinct.