‘Horses for courses’ applies to developments as well

THE article from Mr Phillip Fellent, the Gold Coast’s first architect (GCB 21/8) provided an educated and informative view of proposed developments for the Palm Beach area.

He indicated that development applications were being received and approved outside council guidelines with increased densities, reduced setbacks, greater coverage and no green spaces, and as a result he warns of “some disastrous outcomes in the future”.

Within a short time a development proposed for the prime beachfront location to the north of the Pacific Surf Club will be opened for public submissions.

This development is classed as “impact assessable”. To the average person, this means we get to have our say re the impact this building will have on the local area. We also need to recognise that approval for this development, outside the council guidelines, can readily be used as a precedent for future developments unacceptable to locals and again outside the current zoning restrictions.

The proposed developer is a Victorian company involved in the aged care industry.

While growing old is a fate we will all experience (hopefully) it is not the use of the property but the bulky design, very large footprint and dominant nature of this building that causes concern.

The article on Tuesday could almost have been describing this development. It is not compatible with the local landscape.

If a high care facility requires a different “built form” to a residential development, and if financial considerations determine that a building larger than the zoning limits is required for commercial viability, then it is reasonable to suggest this site is incompatible with the needs of this development and that a more appropriate site should be considered.

Any development in this location also needs to provide adequate internal parking for its own future needs.

With the proposed parking provisions for staff, medical consultants, visitors, deliveries of food, linen and medical supplies, and removal of waste, parking is certainly a potential problem.

The building backs directly onto the shore line (no parking there), and the closest side roads are already congested or have no parking provisions at all.

The surf club and board riders have parking needs to be considered, particularly on weekends.

Add to this the proposal for the light rail system on the adjacent highway. If that goes ahead it will reduce the already limited highway parking to nil and then we will have additional parking and traffic concerns into the future.

As this development will go to the public for submissions all concerned parties are encouraged to have a say on the council website (Planning and Development).

Signage with appropriate instructions should be erected on the vacant site and adjacent block in the next few weeks.

As the local councillor said recently, if ratepayers have concerns they should express their views by responding to applications. It is too late once the horse has bolted or, in this case, developments outside the current guidelines are approved

SANDRA, PALM BEACH