Shop top housing approved in Araluen Drive, Hardys Bay
Approval of a shop top housing development in Hardys Bay has sparked a call to improve parking in the area.
Central Coast
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A controversial development for shop top housing in Hardys Bay has been approved.
The $4 million development for seven units and four commercial premises at 58-62 Araluen Drive was given the green light at Central Coast Council this week.
The item was called to council after receiving 97 objections relating to size and scale, inadequate carparking and narrow roads in the area and the four storey development being out of character for Hardys Bay.
The approval came with a silver lining for Hardys Bay residents, with councillors voting to investigate ways to improve parking in Araluen Dr and surrounding areas.
The development includes four ground floor shops, seven units over three storeys, 19 carparking spaces behind the shops and under the units.
It also has a common area with a pool.
Adrian Williams, from Hardy’s Bay Residents Group, told councillors the development would have a “detrimental impact on the bay”.
He said it was similar to another development proposed on the same site, which was refused by the Land and Environment Court in 2010. The development, lodged in 2008, was for four retail outlets and nine units and attracted 780 objections.
“The proposed development was similar to this one,” he said.
“The sheer bulk and scale does not comply with character statement of Hardys Bay.”
Wagstaffe to Killcare Community Association president Michael Allsop said the parking arrangements were “grossly unsatisfactory” and would exacerbate the parking problems in the area. However he acknowledged the development was toned down, compared to previous proposals.
Planning consultant Michael Leavey said the proposal was significantly different to the one refused in 2010 with less “bulk and scale”, a sensitive design for the slope of the land and maintained existing tress on the site.
The development will be 9.5 metres high, slightly over the recommended height limit, however a previous 2011 DA approval on the site was for 11.5 metres.
Councillor Chris Holstein said the current proposal was a “slightly better outcome” and led the move to improve parking in the area.
Councillor Jane Smith lost an attempt to defer the matter for more advice on the definition of shop top housing. She said Hardys Bay was “a unique position” and the development would appear from the water as five storeys.