Too much for one block

By Casey Neill

Plans for two townhouses would have been “squashed onto” a Grace Avenue block, says councillor Matthew Kirwan.
He successfully moved to refuse the application for the Dandenong site at the Monday 13 November Greater Dandenong Council meeting.
Cr Kirwan said the design and layout was inconsistent with neighbourhood character, provided insufficient setbacks, and would adversely affect surrounding properties.
He said the homes would sit on 313 square metres when setbacks and private open space requirements were taken into account.
The application received 27 objections relating to the block being too small for two dwellings; the design being too bulky and out of character for the area; insufficient setbacks; lack of private open space; overlooking and overshadowing; and traffic and parking concerns.