Chatswood Victoria Ave: Plans released for 90m tower
A developer has revealed plans for a sky-high tower a staggering 13 times over the seven metre local height limit. But that’s not the only concern for those opposed to it.
North Shore
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A proposal for the latest skyscraper in Chatswood have been hit by a hurdle from council planners amid concerns commercial land in the CBD is being eroded to make way for new apartment blocks.
A planning proposal to rezone commercial land at 282-284 Victoria Ave into a 20 storey building is set to be rejected by Willoughby councillors this week after a report found it was “inconsistent” with planning laws designed to encourage job growth to support the region’s population surge.
The $79.5 million proposal, located opposite Chatswood Chase, would have a seven storey podium with ground floor tenancies, three levels of basement parking and 13 storeys of units.
The current eight storey commercial building would be bulldozed and rezoned from B4 commercial core land to B3 mixed use zoning.
The council found the proposal was “inconsistent’ with the Chatswood CBD Planning and Urban Design Strategy 2036 which aims to create 2000 new jobs in the CBD over the next 15 years and prohibits residential land use on the site
Breaches of local height limits was another sticking point with the council finding the 90m tall structure would tower 83m above the seven metre height limit on sections of the site that front on to Victoria Ave.
“Any planning proposal for this site should be based on requirements within the (commercial zoning) under the CBD Strategy. The site, being located within the commercial core and close to the Chatswood Interchange and other services, is not an appropriate location for this scale of additional residential floor space,” the council said.
Plans by Alton Property Group stated the development would include retail tenancies on the lower levels of the building, supporting up to 278 jobs, and was therefore “generally consistent with the objectives” of the CBD strategy.
The proposal added it would “contribute to the urban renewal of Chatswood” and meet demand for the significant growth in single, couple and single parent households which plans projected will make up 75 per cent of households in the CBD by 2036 – along with demand for older residents looking to downsize.
“The proposal would provide additional housing – providing the choice for older residents to age in places closer to their families, friends and essential services (and) would also provide smaller dwellings increasing affordability for younger residents either looking to purchase or rent within the LGA”.
The proposal is the latest high-rise unit complex planned in Chatswood with other plans including an 81-unit building at 629-639 Pacific Hwy, a 187 unit complex at the corner of Bowen St and Moriarty Rd and 158 units in the redevelopment of the Chatswood Mandarin Centre on Albert Ave.
A council spokeswoman said the planning proposal for Victoria Ave “does not comply with Willoughby City Council’s current LEP or the Chatswood CBD Strategy and we therefore do not support it.”
Councillors are due to consider the plans at Monday’s council meeting.
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