Obscured glass the answer

THREE double-storey townhouses got the green light in a Springvale street amid fears refusing a permit could create a worse outcome for concerned residents.
City of Greater Dandenong councillors approved the development at 20 Merton Street at their 9 June meeting – 10 voted in favour and Councillor Peter Brown abstained.
The permit requires obscured glass on windows overlooking neighbouring properties, following objections from residents.
Cr Brown said the measure didn’t go far enough.
“Windows can be changed later,” he said.
“The overlooking is an issue.
“I just put myself in the shoes of the people who live next door.”
Cr Brown said other blocks in the established residential area had just one dwelling and the council should be replicating this.
He said two double storey dwellings “might well be doable” but three were not.
“As best as possible is not good enough,” he said.
Cr Roz Blades said the obscured glass worked for the developer and objectors.
“Everybody’s got a right to privacy,” she said.
Cr Matthew Kirwan said rejecting the application outright risked a worse outcome for residents if the developer appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
“I think three two storey town houses is a reasonable development for this area,” he said.
Cr Youhorn Chea said VCAT would reverse any council decision to reject the application.
Cr Jim Memeti said each councillor received a call from a concerned resident the night before the meeting, asking for help.
He said obscured glass made sense and that with other strict conditions, the application met requirements.
A council officer report said the application included adequate on-site parking and the site had good access to the Springvale activity centre.
What do you think? Email journal@starnewsgroup.com.au or visit www.facebook.com/DandenongJournal.
– CASEY NEILL