By Casey Neill
Dandenong’s Comfort Inn is adding seven new units.
Greater Dandenong Council approved its application for the two-storey development at the Monday 24 July council meeting.
The new building will be at the 124-126 Princes Highway site’s rear, fronting Gwenda Street.
The application received four objections relating to increased traffic, parking and adding more units to the area.
But the council report said the site was well-suited for the proposal.
“The development is respectful to the existing and preferred neighbourhood character by way of siting, design and landscaping,” it said.
“The development provides appropriate parking provision, and complies with both the state and local planning policy frameworks.”
Councillor Matthew Kirwan said the built form and number of storeys complied with the zone.
“And while the application requests a reduction in car parking for these particular two storey units, there is an overall sufficient amount of car parking for the whole motel,” he said.
Cr Kirwan said he was concerned that the units could become permanent accommodation.
“But I am reassured that these new units are covered by the overall motel permit for the site,” he said.
He said a motel was “land used to provide accommodation in serviced rooms for persons away from their normal place of residence”.
“This definition would not permit long-term rental, as a long-term rental would be considered a normal place of residence,” he said.
“If the use were to change to long-term rental, that would be a compliance matter for our council.”
