A REDLAND City developer will take court action after council refused to grant a development permit for 16 units on land adjoining St Rita’s Primary School on Benfer Road at Victoria Point.
Hometown Villas chief executive Greg Barry said he would lodge an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court following the council refusal of his application at Wednesday’s general meeting.
Victoria Point councillor Lance Hewlett asked for the refusal, going against an officer recommendation, and his bid was supported by all councillors expect Paul Gleeson (Div9), mayor Karen Williams and Murray Elliott (Div7).
Mr Barry said concerns, which included views from the units on to the playing grounds, increased traffic around the school and issues with rubbish collection, could be overcome.
He denied claims his project was public housing and said his company’s philosophy was to build affordable housing with 20 per cent allocated to units for disabled people.
“In our discussions with the school, it was generally accepted that inevitably the site would be redeveloped for residential purposes,” he said.
“While there are legitimate concerns the school may have about residences overlooking school grounds, there is perhaps an equal or corresponding benefit of proper surveillance.”
He also said rubbish collector JJ Richards would not empty bins during school hours and Q Traffic Engineering wrote a report for council condoning the project.
Brisbane Catholic Education planning services manager Julie Saunders, representing the school, told the meeting students’ safety was at stake and the intensity of the development would exacerbate traffic snarls.
“We believe the intent of the urban residential sub-area zone for this location is for transition and is not intended to be a medium-density zone which would be the result.
“It takes a lot of resources, time and commitment from schools to management those relationships with adjoining properties.
“We acknowledge the site has development potential but believe the scale and intensity is above what would be considered appropriate for adjoining a school.”
Cr Lance Hewlett said the developer had the right of appeal and suggested there could be a better “more compromising” design.
“My concerns related to the density, built form, pedestrian safety and scope of the development on a lot that is zoned UR1, which seeks a probable solution of one dwelling per 400sq m, whereas the application was for one dwelling unit per 189.6sq m,” Cr Hewlett said.
“It is important to note that the developer builds a quality product which I have personally inspected at Finucane Road, Alexandra Hills.”
The call to refuse the project because it was over development of the site prompted division 2 councillor Craig Ogilvie to warn councillors to vote against the project, despite the chance of a court appeal.
“If you’re going to walk away from this one and say you can’t defend this one, then don’t bother having a town plan.”
Division 1 councillor Wendy Boglary said after the meeting although she voted to refuse the application, she believed the development was benevolent and would benefit people with disabilities.
