Henley Beach function centre above Estia restaurant likely to be thwarted by a lack of parking
A RENOWNED Greek Restaurant wants to build a function centre above its Henley Square premises but the plan is likely to be thwarted by car park concerns.
West & Beaches
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PLANS for a function centre at Henley Square are likely to be stopped in their tracks because of a parking shortage, highlighting the urgency of the area’s need for extra spaces.
Estia restaurant owner Nick Mavridis lodged plans with Charles Sturt Council to convert two apartments above his restaurant into a function centre for 150 patrons.
The centre would provide seating for about 100 people inside and about 50 people on the balcony.
However council staff have recommended the proposal be rejected because Mr Mavridis cannot supply adequate car parks for the extra visitors the centre would bring to the square.
“I’m trying to be hopeful it will be approved but I’m not really sure at the moment,” Mr Mavridis said.
“Parking is a problem but the council has a bit of a role to play here.
“There are no options for me to provide more parking.”
What do you think should be done to address parking at Henley Square? Leave your comment below.
The proposed function centre would require 50 off-street car parks to satisfy the development plan.
The council has been in talks with traders and residents for the past 15 years about the shortage of parking around the square.
Calls for more parking were stepped up during the planning of the Henley Square development.
MORE: Traders want parking fix in conjunction with upgrade
The plans, released last month, include upgrades to existing carparks on either side of the square and 13 extra parking spaces.
In December councillors asked staff to prepare a 2014/15 budget proposal to develop a long-term solution to parking issues in the area.
Henley Beach Business Association chairman and Stella Restaurant co-owner Robert Di Ciocco said recent expansions of the Ramsgate Hotel and Henley Beach Lifesaving Club meant car parks were at capacity.
“There’s been no increase (in parking) as a result of that and we’ve just got to a point we think it’s underdone,” Mr Di Ciocco said.
“We desperately need action in the next 12 to 24 months – sooner if possible – to provide any additional space.
“We’d just like to see some firm plans in place so we can see that it’s happening.”
Mayor Kirsten Alexander said a number of options were being looked at and the council was working closely with traders to find a solution.
“Unfortunately it’s not an easy problem to solve but we’re making every effort to improve the situation,” Ms Alexander said.
She said the carpark behind Colton state Labor MP Paul Caica’s office on Seaview Rd had been flagged as a possible site to develop more parking.
The council was also planning to approach the Henley Beach Shopping Centre owner Richard Antunes to request parking hours be extended.
Ms Alexander said the Development Assessment Panel, due to consider the function centre application tonight (April 16) was not bound by the staff recommendation to reject the proposal.
“They have to judge the application against the provisions of the development plan,” she said.
“It does make it difficult in situations like this when (the) council is trying to bring more vibrancy to the square.”
Mr Mavridis hoped the council would see the value a function centre would offer to the area and other traders and approve the development.
“I think a function centre will contribute to the vibrancy of the square,” he said.
He was happy to contribute to a car parking fund if the council set one up for a new multistorey carpark near the square.
He suggested the old Henley Depot on Military Rd was an appropriate location.
“The parking issues all lie in the council’s hands,” he said.
“I think traders would be happy to contribute to fix the problem.
“It really comes down to where you put it and something just needs to be decided (by the council).”
What do you think should be done to address parking at Henley Square? Leave your comment below.
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