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[2009] VCAT 1227
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
2009-06-30
Mr P
Original judgment source is linked above.
What is the Tribunal's conclusion on the appropriateness of the built form?
Gazetted DDO8 Design Objectives for Fun Factory Site [Clause 3.0 Character Areas]
To reinforce the primary gateway significance of the Fun Factory site to the Forrest Hill Precinct and Prahran South Yarra Principal Activity Centre.
The design would emphasise and reinforce the primacy of this site to the Precinct and Activity Centre.
The proposal would achieve the objective of an iconic podium-tower development.
To ensure the upper levels are designed so as to reduce building mass and bulk and produce a sculptural and slender building outcome.
The design involves a sculptured and slender main tower with a lower level tower form that we find would be acceptable with respect to its relationship to Chapel Street and Toorak Road.
To provide retail uses and active frontages to revitalise the main street.
The proposal achieves this objective subject to clarification of ground floor entry levels.
To avoid an overbearing presence on Toorak Road, Chapel Street and the Forrest Hill Precinct.
Based on revisions to the plans that we will direct, we find the proposal would not have an over-bearing presence to the main roads or the precinct as a whole having regard to the Scheme's aim for the building to have landmark qualities.
To ensure podium levels complement the existing streetscape of the Toorak Road/ Chapel Street intersection and provide a consistent building edge (street wall) along the western side of Chapel Street.
Based on revisions to the plans that we will direct, we find the proposal would sufficiently complement development around the intersection.
Would the proposal unreasonably impact on the amenity of existing residents?
Would there be unreasonable overshadowing and loss of daylight?
Would there be unreasonable visual bulk or building presence?
Would noise impacts during construction be unreasonable?
Are arrangements for access in Almeida Crescent acceptable?
Should right turns into of Almeida Crescent be banned?
The Waste Management Plan must be approved by the Responsible Authority prior to commencement of construction and all waste storage and collection must be carried out in accordance with the approved Waste Management Plan.
The Conservation Analysis must be allocated an ISBN number, bound to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority, and ten copies supplied to the Responsible Authority and two lodged as legal deposit copies with the State Library of Victoria and the National Library of Australia.
The owner and/or developer must incur all the costs associated with these works and such works must be carried out prior to the commencement of the use allowed by this permit;
(c) The owner and/or developer must incur all costs associated with the construction of all infrastructure including footpaths, traffic management works and the paving materials and construction of the footpath adjacent to the site that must be to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority;
(d) The payment of a supervision fee where works are supervised by the Responsible Authority.
A memorandum of the Agreement is to be entered on title and the cost of the preparation and execution of the Agreement and entry of the memorandum on title is to be paid by the owner.
(as shown on the endorsed plans) are set aside as roads so that upon registration of such plan, those portions of the site will vest in the Responsible Authority as roads pursuant to Section 24(2)(b) of the Subdivision Act 1988.
When approved, the plans and schedules shall be endorsed to form part of the permit. The location of the restaurants or the number of seats provided within each tenancy shall not be altered without the written permission of the Responsible Authority.
All activities associated with the construction of the buildings and works hereby permitted must be carried out in accordance with the approved Construction Management Plan. The Construction Management Plan may be amended to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.
The Responsible Authority may extend the times referred to if a request is made in writing before the Permit expires or within the three (3) months afterwards.
[1] Based on plans dated June 2008. Revised plans received by the Council in September 2008 were considered in the officer's assessment and in the material provided to the Council at its November 2008 meeting. These have been considered by the Tribunal but we record that there was no request for the September 2008 plans to be substituted.
[4] Evidenced in permits and development proposals summarised in the booklet of plans tendered at the hearing at page 4 of 70.
[5] Clauses 21.03, 21.05, 21.07, 21.09, 21.10, 22.02, 22.17 and 43.02 introduced through Amendment C55 in April 2006.
[6] 2005, 2007 and 2009. The first two are both referenced in the current provisions of the Planning Scheme.
[7] DDO8 as currently in the Scheme. The cited wording is used in the exhibited, adopted and gazetted versions of DDO8 (AmC58).
[8] Having regard to the Minister for Planning's submission in this proceeding.
[9] The adopted Amendment C58 would be relevant under Section 60(1A)(h) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The adopted policies such as Chapel Vision and the Forrest Hill Structure Plan are also relevant under Section 60(1A)(g).
[10] For example, Clauses 22.02, 22.17 and DDO8.
[11] The site is identified as a suitable location for retail, employment/offices and housing.
[12] The site is identified as a suitable location for ground floor primary retail and upper floors office or residential at page 25.
[13] Chapel Vision at section 4.3.3 on page 35 in the context of several gateway locations that are identified in the document.
[14] Page 31 in all three versions of the Forrest Hill Structure Plan (2005, 2007 and 2009).
[15] Pages 27-30 in all three versions of the Forrest Hill Structure Plan (2005, 2007 and 2009).
[16] This point is reinforced through the Forrest Hill Structure Plans at page 38 when addressing design principles relating to visual bulk.
[17] The development approved for this site is 124.7mAHD. The Tribunal's decision records the Council did not oppose the mid rise or high rise towers that were subsequently approved. Ryssal Three Pty Ltd v Stonnington CC [2008] VCAT 2113 and Ryssal Three Pty Ltd v Stonnington CC [2008] VCAT 2619.
[18] Which are the same as the adopted version referred to in submissions.
[20] Paragraph 67 of the Council's written submission at page 26.
[21] Page 38 of the Forrest Hill Structure Plans 2005, 2007 and 2009 under "Overshadowing and wind conditions".
[24] Stonnington Planning Scheme Amendment C58 Forrest Hill Structure Plan Panel Report November 2008 at pages 68-69.
[25] Forrest Hill Structure Plans at page 43.
[29] For example, Section 4.9 at pages 48, 49 and 50.
[30] For example, in the general planning principles at page 24.
The Capitol (Vic) Pty Ltd
Stonnington CC & Ors [2009] VCAT 1227