Following the consultation meeting in March the developer has lodged new plans (Application Number 490/2020, the revised plans are marked as S57A) with the City of Port Phillip (CoPP). The new plans incorporate design improvements following feedback from the community, the Office of the Victorian Government Architect and Heritage Victoria.
The BCNA welcomes the improvements in design. The improvements include an increase in the tower setback on the western edge, an increase in tower and podium setbacks on Waterfront Place, and an increase in basement car parking.
The BCNA remains keen to see a resolution as to use of the site. We have requested the CoPP to work collaboratively with all parties to find a resolution.
The BCNA’s primary concerns with the earlier plans were about insufficient parking within the building for residents, retail services and users of the gym; and overshadowing of the bike and pedestrian paths. The new plans are proposing a greater allocation of parking to residents. However, we would like to see more parking spaces allocated to users of the gym and retail services, so avoiding building users parking in nearby streets. Overshadowing of the bike and pedestrian paths along Waterfront Place remains a concern as the developer has not sought to minimise overshadowing at the Winter Solstice as required by the Port Phillip Planning Scheme. Most of the bike and pedestrian paths will remain in shadow. The BCNA has decided to object, primarily, about overshadowing of the bike and pedestrian paths at the Winter Solstice and has requested a greater allocation of parking spaces to users of the gym and retail services. The BCNA submission can be found here.
The CoPP will now consider feedback from the community about the revised plans. The BCNA encourages members to look at the plans and respond directly to the council online.