The Art Gallery development in Grey St Block: 13 Section: 49 DEAKIN Application Number 202443150 has been Approved Subject to Conditions. More details at the link. Some issues of particular relevance to DRA follow.
The approval is for demolition of the existing structures and driveway verge crossings, removal of trees, construction of a mixed use development comprising of two commercial tenancies, 45 dwellings, three levels of basement car parking, new driveway verge crossing, landscaping and associated works.
The approval notes thar the site adjoins a school car parking area for Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School and fronts several residential zoned blocks on Grey Street. The site is located within close proximity to Deakin Shops and Adelaide Avenue, where a future light rail stop is proposed to be located. Given the site’s proximity to Adelaide Avenue, which is Designated Area, the subject block is also subject to special requirements under the National Capital Plan. The DA was referred to the National Capital Authority, who have conditionally supported the proposal.
Also within close proximity to the subject block are the Ambassador Apartments, located at Block 20, Section 12 Deakin, which are of a similar scale to the proposal. The proposed uses for the site will be limited to those conditionally approved under Lease Variation DA 202240874
NATIONAL CAPITAL DESIGN REVIEW PANEL ADVICE AND THE PROPONENT’S RESPONSE – S186(L)
On 9 May 2023 the National Capital Design Review Panel (NCDRP) provided advice on the development proposal. The NCDRP’s advice and the proponent’s response was submitted as part of the application and was considered in the making of this decision.
In their advice the NCDRP provided advice relating to setbacks, appropriate landscaping and sustainability measures and removal of trees.
The Panel also did not support proposed subterranean uses and queried the overall programming of the building that included deep set apartment units, internal habitable rooms with no access to natural light or natural cross ventilation, excessively long access corridors with no outlook at ends, poor internal layouts and poor pedestrian access across the proposal.
The applicant has responded to the concerns raised by the design review panel. Specifically, by providing further amendments to proposed landscaping and deep root planting, building setbacks, building height, the layout of residential units and associated hallways on each floor plate, floor to ceiling heights and providing details on privacy screening measures, traffic, and pedestrians movements. Subject to addressing conditions of approval, the applicant is considered to have suitably addressed all issues raised by the panel in their advice.
CONSTRUCTION PARKING
It is a condition of approval that a Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) be obtained from the Manager of Traffic Management & Safety, Roads ACT, CED prior to commencement of Works. This plan must be prepared by a suitably qualified person and address measures to be implemented during construction activities to manage all traffic. This includes construction and regular traffic in and around the site, provision of safe pedestrian movements, the provision of parking for construction workers, and associated temporary traffic control devices. For further information, please refer to http://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/guiding principles for TTMP and https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/roads-and-paths/traffic/temporary-traffic-management.
TREE REMOVALS
The Delegate of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna advised the removal of regulated trees, particularly trees11-17, are not supported as they do not meet the approval criteria under the Urban Forest Act 2023. These proposed tree removals were subject to consideration by the Assessment and Environment Advisory Panel (AEAP). The panel supported the assessing officer’s recommendation that trees 9 and 17 could be supported for removal on planning grounds due to site constraints and subject to the lessee entering into a Canopy Contribution Agreement with the Conservator of Flora and Fauna in accordance with the Urban Forest Act 2023. The panel also agreed with the recommendation that trees 11-16 should be retained. Conditions havebeen imposed in Part 1 consistent with the outcomes of the AEAP process. CED-DCB, have assessed impacts to trees on unleased territory land and have conditionally supported the DA.
A condition of approval has been included in Part 1 of the Decision that an updated tree management plan be provided for trees to be protected on leased and unleased land.
CANOPY CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
Regulated tree 9 and 17 have been supported for removal under the Planning Act 2023, subject to the lessee entering into a Canopy Contribution Agreement (CCA)with the Conservator of Flora and Fauna (the Conservator) in accordance with the Urban Forest Act 2023. A separate condition has also been included in Part 1 of this Decision that the replanting schedule for the CCA must be to the satisfaction of the Conservator.