More than 700 residents oppose Jefferson Lane Palm Beach development
A planned 14 level tower on the southern Gold Coast has sparked a wave of opposition from residents with council likely to face court action if it approves the development. Check out what’s happening
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A planned 14-level tower at Palm Beach has sparked a wave of opposition from residents with council likely to face court action if it approves the development.
More than 750 residents have written submissions to the City opposing the development - none have been recorded in support.
Residents have argued the building is too high - it exceeds the City’s building height overlay by 50 per cent - and will cause day-long shadowing along with traffic congestion issues.
Palm Beach-Elanora Community Group Inc president Lancia Jordana, in an email to councillors, wrote: “As no submissions were received in support, submitters clearly believe the proposal did not satisfy the provisions.”
She said the City Plan makes a statement to Palm Beach residents that their medium density residential areas were not expected to accommodate highrise development.
“We call on councillors to uphold that statement until such time the community agree to a changed City Plan,” Ms Jordana said.
She added approval would lead to “to runaway overdevelopment and a complete undermining of the City Plan intent”.
Area councillor Daphne McDonald at the latest planning committee on November 23 said: “Certainly the community has spoken, and it’s not acceptable.”
Councillor Hermann Vorster could also not support the development, saying the City’s intent was to lower building height in the area and the project was “not architecturally exceptional’.
Councillor Peter Young also backed residents by opposing the project but the vote was 6-2 in favour. Cr McDonald is not on the committee and will vote at full council on Monday.
Council planning officers have recommended approval of tower on an amalgamated three allotments covering a 1650 sqm site in Jefferson Lane.
Planning committee chair Mark Hammel praised the high quality of submissions from residents which he argued had led to a thorough examination by planning officers.
But he indicated he would support the officer’s recommendation, noting the City should be encouraging amalgamation of development sites which in this case increased dwelling numbers from eight to 38 helping to meet population growth targets.
Officers said the existing local identity of the area was made up of a mix of building heights ranging from low rise to high rise buildings.
“The height proposed is consistent with a number of existing and approved buildings within this local area,” the officer’s report said.
The Palm Beach-Elanora Group Inc has cautioned councillors about likely court action.
“This is shaping up to be another costly and potentially embarrassing court appeal for the
council,” Ms Jordana said.
“Residents should not have to continue fighting such court cases. We expect our elected local
representatives to uphold the City Plan and protect us from inappropriate development.”
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