Patrick Lamanna to appeal rejected plans for his burnt-out Heathmont pizza restaurant site
Progress on cleaning up a burnt-out eyesore site on Heathmont’s front doorstep has stalled after Maroondah Council rejected a proposed four-storey development.
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The owner of an abandoned Heathmont pizza restaurant says he wants to clean up the site and revitalise the town – but claims Maroondah Council keeps stopping him.
Patrick Lamanna has lodged an appeal with VCAT after the council rejected his plans for 165, 165A and 167 Canterbury Rd in Heathmont.
He submitted his permit application on January 9 with plans to build a $7.5 million, four-storey complex at the site including 26 apartments, a medical centre, a restaurant and underground parking.
The council knocked back the application on November 25, stating the plans were “an overdevelopment and overly intense for the site”.
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It is the second time in recent weeks the council has rejected a proposed development on a long-abandoned site in the heart of Heathmont.
Earlier in the month, the council refused plans for a childcare centre at the site of the former Heathmont Anglican Church at 203-205 Canterbury Rd.
Mr Lamanna told Maroondah Leader he wasn’t surprised his proposal was rejected as he claimed he had been “back and forth many times” to the council over his plans.
He said he wouldn’t be altering the proposed development when he fronts the tribunal
“Everything they’ve told us to rectify we have … and they still knocked us back,” he said.
Original Joes and the Si Bella Function Centre was destroyed in fire in June 2017.
The condition and maintenance of the site has previously drawn the ire of residents and it has been suspected of being used by squatters.
Mr Lamanna said squatters had never been at the site and he wanted “to utilise the space and make Heathmont look fantastic again”.
“I’d love to get it going and fixed up (the site), but if I keep getting knocked back, what can I do?” he said.
“I’m a local trying to do something, there’s a few people that think this is overdeveloped and all that, but it’s not.
“I want people to know I’m real and I’m there.”
The matter will be heard at VCAT on May 4.
Maroondah Council have been contacted for comment.