By Renee Wood
The planning permit for a $3 million development in Healesville’s main street has been approved at the Tuesday 23 November council meeting after it was first deferred last month.
The permit for 272 Maroondah Highway, Healesville is for a multi-storey development of two retail premises, three dwellings, and reduction in carparking requirements.
The decision was postponed due to concerns over a lack of consultation between property owners and further issues discussed by objectors.
The motion was deferred for a month to allow for consultation between property owners, which did occur Friday 18 November.
Town planner Marius Vogel spoke for the proposal and said various things were discussed but unfortunately all concerns couldn’t be addressed.
Potential overshadowing to My Little Kitchen’s courtyard had been discussed but in order to reduce shadows it would entail the removal of one of the three apartments that’s been proposed.
“The owners are quite keen to provide additional housing in central Healesville so it’s not possible to remove one of the apartments,” Mr Vogel said.
One of the outcomes was an offer has been made to the Grand Hotel property owner to provide some additional private screening to prevent overlooking of the beer garden.
Owner of 274 Maroondah Highway, Lawrence Paratz, spoke at the last council meeting and again addressed councillors expressing his rejection of the proposal.
Mr Paratz said an updated document from the proponent was quite disappointing.
“In terms of the issues raised, there’s nothing more than stone walling here, a restatement of the original plan and the shadow diagrams have been provided and are easily read in a misleading way..” he said.
Mr Paratz also wasn’t satisfied the car parking issue was addressed, stating that there is no right to alienate the car parks as it is a shared car park.
“Both The Grand and ourselves remain absolutely committed to proper consultation – I recall there had been no consultation until the council really drove it to occur…. This initial response certainly does nothing other than restate the original proposal.”
Councillor Jim Child queried council officers regarding the car parking issue which they replied council has not been provided with any indication that either one or the other has more ownership or claim to those car parking spaces
Officers reiterated again it is a civil matter which is not covered by the planning conditions as it’s not part of the planning scheme.
Mr Vogel said the car parking is under an owner’s corporation that is currently without a formal manager.
“There are discussions if an owner’s corporation manager can be appointed to deal with a civil matter of how the nine car parks can be used,” he said.
Cr Fiona McAllister moved the motion and was sympathetic with objectors concerns however, she said that the concerns aren’t planning matters and the permit does comply with council and Victorian planning provisions.
“…It does comply and the look and feel and design, whilst we all have different tastes, is sympathetic to this area and I think will actually be a good development for this site,” Cr McAllister said.
The motion was carried unanimously.
