COUNCIL has refused an application to subdivide a 2000 square metre block at Birkdale and will write to the state government asking for a cap on lot sizes in the area.
Mayor Karen Williams said the council had moved to retain larger lots when drafting the City Plan in 2015, but it did not receive state approval, with the then Planning Minister directing that caps on lot sizes be weakened.
Birkdale resident Eve Wheeler made an eleventh-hour appeal for the application to be blocked, writing in a letter to the council that the proposal would significantly impact neighbouring properties.
She said the development would result in a loss of amenity, threats to wildlife and loss of privacy.
Cr Paul Bishop said if the application had been given the green light it would have set a dangerous precedent.
"In our planning scheme, the strategic intent is to ensure that suburbs like Alexandra Hills, Birkdale and Thorneside will continue to accommodate mainly detached housing with a low-density character," he said.
"The residents in this area are looking to us to stand by our city plan and refuse this so we can make sure we get exactly what the residents in this area expect.
"The potential for anyone, anywhere to apply for something like this ... is going to be rife unless we hold up our city plan.
"Our residents are going to be up in arms. Already we have submissions and this report hasn't been made public yet."
Cr Peter Mitchell said the application was allowed under the City Plan, with a council officer clarifying that the strategic framework was not applicable to the application because it was code-assessable.
"What about those families that are moving [and] those families that want to find housing?" Cr Mitchell said.
"We want to provide sensible opportunities in quality neighbourhoods, and I think some of the [public submissions], while heartfelt, have exaggerated their positions because they feel strongly about it.
"This is not going to destroy a neighbourhood. On the contrary, it is going to bring four more fantastic families into our area who would really enjoy a beautiful part of our city."
The council received just one submission about the Haig Road/Birdwood Road area from a resident when the draft City Plan went to public consultation in 2015.
Cr Wendy Boglary said people valued living on large urban properties and cutting up blocks did not amount to diversity.
The development application proposed dividing a 2000 square metre block into four sections.
"Diversity means options, and an option is a large block," Cr Boglary said.
"I don't understand how we can say allowing a subdivision here [at Haig Road] is in character because the houses around there are also large lots."
Cr Rowanne McKenzie disagreed, saying there were many 500 square metre blocks in the area and officers had recommended the development application be approved.
"If the advice we are given is that it [refusing the application] is not defendable [in court], then we are wasting ratepayers money in trying to defend it," she said.
Council voted down the proposal six to five on Wednesday, against the Minister's direction in 2015 to weaken caps on lot sizes.
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