‘Cunning reapplication’ for Baulkham Hills boarding houses
THEY have caused major uproar in the past and now two boarding houses have been proposed for development in the Hills Shire.
Hills Shire
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THEY have caused major uproar in the past and now two boarding houses have been proposed for development in the Hills Shire.
An application has been submitted on behalf of a confidential developer proposing the construction of two boarding houses with a total of 30 rooms at 120 Old Northern Rd, Baulkham Hills.
The first boarding house would comprise of 15 boarding rooms and a manager’s room, while the second building would contain 14 rooms, as well as another manager’s room.
According to the DA, each boarding house is designed to operate independently, having communal rooms, private open space areas and managers rooms.
Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne said she was “very concerned” about the intensity of the development.
“Originally, approval was granted on the site for two detached residential family-home scale dwellings,” Cr Byrne told the Times.
“The proposal now introduces an increased population to the site and increases the intensity of the use across the site.
“Concern is raised about the increase in population this will cause in this residential zone.
“This type of development will place more pressure on roads, waste services and other community services.”
Deputy Mayor Robyn Preston said it was “a cunning reapplication” of a DA council had already shown good faith in supporting.
“I have major issues in regards to parking and traffic, as well as waste produced at the site,” Cr Preston said.
“The proposal fails to meet the criteria set out by the applicant and is not in character with the streetscape.
“A boarding house is not a family-friendly development and certainly not what the Hills is about.”
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Spokesman for the developer, Joe Vescio, said there had been no concerns raised from residents.
“There has been a lot of demand for affordable rental housing so the client saw that as an opportunity to convert the site into the boarding house,” Mr Vescio said.
“The best location for a development such as this is proximity to shops, public transport and other local infrastructure — zoning is not really relevant.”