COUNCILLORS have knocked back a development application for 10 units at Wellington Point.
The proposal for the two-storey building - which included car parking and 10 small apartments on an 800 square metre lot at 18 Chermside Street - was the subject of a special council meeting on Tuesday.
The site was advertised on Go2YourRoom.com as offering low-cost medium to long term rentals.
Council officers had recommended the application be conditionally approved but a refusal motion for the material change of use application was put forward by Cr Wendy Boglary and passed seven votes to four.
Cr Boglary said she had grave concerns with the proposal and was relieved her motion was supported.
"This development (would) greatly impact the local residents and has caused a great deal of anxiety," she said.
"I wanted to send a strong message about achieving a Redlands standard which is best design practice."
She outlined issues like small and hard-to-access car parks and limited private space for residents and setbacks not leaving enough space for landscaping or service functions like residents washing their cars.
Cr Boglary said the storage area for the bins was close to the northern border, causing smells and noise for neighbouring residents.
She said the small studio apartments were not appropriate for the quiet residential street.
"Councillors understand there is a need for a variety of housing types but livability and location have to be considered," she said.
"As with any form of housing, location is the key and this is not a suitable location for such studio apartments."
Cr Paul Gleeson said there was a need for studio apartments in the city for younger people or seniors but the proposed apartments did not suit the Redlands.
"It's a perfect product for Fortitude Valley or West End but I don't think it's suitable for Redlands at all," he said.
But Cr Mark Edwards voted against the refusal motion, saying in most regards the applicants had adhered to the city plan.
"Officers are recommending ... we move forward with this and that tells me that (the developers) are complying with the scheme that we have."
The applicant declined to comment at the time.
