Kodak develops, sign stays

Tribunal tweaks application for apartment block

redevelopment of a heritage building in the city’s centre, which was appealed against by the Hobart City Council’s former senior cultural heritage officer, is now set to go ahead.

In November last year, the council gave local developers Giameos Constructions and Developments approval for its redevelopment of the vacant 1920s Kodak House building at 45 Elizabeth St.

The project plans to turn the upper levels into five apartments, with an extra storey to be added to the building.

The proposal included demolition of the heritage Kodak House sign on the front of the building — a factor that initially prompted planning officers to recommend refusal.

Former HCC senior cultural heritage officer Brendan Lennard appealed against elecTHE ted members’ approval to the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal on four grounds, including that the proposed demolition would “result in the loss of significant fabric and items that contribute to the historic cultural heritage significance of the place”.

The planning tribunal considered the matter and directed the council to issue an amended permit — which includes the retention of the Kodak House sign — with each party to pay its own appeal costs.

Meanwhile, another residential development is also set to proceed after it was initially refused by the HCC despite being recommended for approval by its planning officers.

An application for partial demolition, alterations and change of use to a boarding house at 14 Byron St, Sandy Bay, was refused by elected members 9-2 in August last year because it was seen to not have enough on-site carparking or safe vehicle access.

The redevelopment of the existing property would result in the creation of a new fivebedroom extension providing accommodation for international students.

“The development creates a deficiency of only one parking space, which is acceptable under the performance provisions and must therefore be supported,” the council’s development engineering department said in the planning report at the time.

Property owner Shun Kei Lin appealed against the refusal and entered mediation with the council, with the two parties agreeing to slightly modify the application.