Stupid Planning Outcomes

A new aged care facility has been approved in our LGA after 4 years of pushing to get consents.

Various proposals included a large grocers in the 2000 m² commercial/retail space, 5-6 storeys of self-care units, below grade parking, major permanent traffic diversions etc.

Aged care facility give the green light by the North Sydney Planning Panel

The outcomes are no doubt better than the original proposal but will never satisfy everyone.

Improvements:

Traffic control & diversions - new roundabout on a main road as only a left hand turn is permitted from the site, redesign of another intersection and relocation of traffic lights.

Height reduced from 5-6 storeys to 3 storeys, still impacts view corridors however won't be much taller than existing structures (high fačade 1920's shop-top housing)

Increased buffer zone to E2 bushland

Relocation of Telco facilities may result in better coverage.

Parking - provision of 86 parking spaces & 6 motorbike spaces.

Site decontamination (ex-service station)

Downsides

Introduction of new right hand turn in preceding intersection & removal of same

Loss of small retailers (vet, caterer, servo, chocolate shop)

Impact on bushland

Strangest part of the decision - 65 bicycle spaces. Although the council should be lauded for providing bicycle spaces but the provision is over the top (should be about ⅓) with end of ride facilities.

Do other Councils make such interesting outcomes?

 

For the residents or the staff and shouldn't "end of ride facilities" actually read "end of life facilities?"

 

Council can impose or ask for any issues they like. Whether they prevent consent is another thing. Development approval is often a negotiation and often involves affected parties to allow "good development" outcomes. But they must have a lawful reason to oppose. Its the developer dance. You win some and concede some. You build it higher, wider etc and then revise it down.

The bike facilities will just become more informal staff and visitor parking. Or a area for waste vehicles to turn to leave the driveway in a forward direction ?

My local council approved a revised car park which they argued for months over as being under the requirement for floor space. Within a few months after approval carparks were made private for doctors, pick up reserved spaces, coles pickup spots, elderly and pram parking (which dont exist as such in law) , three fast tesla charge spots and two car washes with around 40 spaces reserved, bike racks etc. They then made a dangerous blind drive across the carpark taking another 8 spots, Added a taxi rank and uber eats pickup area outside adjacent to a pedestrian crossing. I reckon 10% of original parking they argued was below minimum has gone.

 

The 65 bicycle spaces is weird...

 

The owners website indicates Parking for 6 motorcycles and 65 bicycles is also provided in basement 2. The proposed car, bicycle and motorcycle parking complies with the necessary Seniors SEPP and Lane Cove Council DCP controls.

I checked the SEPP and it assumes a resident whether in advanced or minor care may have need to store a bike, surfboard and even a car despite few of them actually having such items. Source Sydney Bespoke Senior Developments (SEPP Seniors) | Playoust Churcher

Strange but true. yes wierd

 

Hmm - for people in aged care? Very!

I didn't understand what this meant - they put it in and then took it out?

In other numpty planning issues - our council got $1m from NSW Govt to improve a small local car park (required as main road parking was removed), did the work, and now want to sell that same car park for development purposes.

Then there was the resurfacing of some local roads two weeks ago; this week they dug holes in two of them.

 

Not all people in aged care are confined to beds and dying. Its aged care not a hospice /palitative care.
Aged care can include low / no care on demand with very independent partners living in as well.

Footpaths and new roads etc are a perfect candidate that scream "dig me up" the day they are laid.

 

Closed the RH turn out of the next street across (me writing in shorthand/gibberish).

 

not really, we are considering buying 1 electric bike just to duck up the shops, parking is a breeze and council have bike tracks/paths.
Partner is even considering the idea for the commute to work (bike or small electric scooter) due to the cost of parking (sure it's free for under 3 hour's) but working longer than this eats into the small wage....

 

But are you in aged care yet?

 

No, still have to bathe myself
But I do go to the supermarket