By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A proposal for four double-storey dwellings at the end of a cul-de-sac near Noble Park Secondary College has been rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The plan at 16 Callaghan Street failed on the grounds of neighbourhood character and amenity, and required a re-design, VCAT member Peter Gaschk found on 15 January.
Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades, whose council opposed the application, said the outcome meant a “Happy New Year for Callaghan Street”.
“Council was quite definite about it – it was an unsuitable development.”
The site is presently occupied by a single-storey weatherboard dwelling. Being in the Incremental Change Area, it was suitable for a “modest increase in residential density” of up to two storeys.
In his decision, Mr Gaschk rejected some of the design outcomes such as small setbacks to the sides of the property as well as a lack of “blue sky separation” between two of the dwellings.
“I therefore consider a redesign is required to address these design principles to ensure side setback areas are increased to enable more meaningful landscaping.”
The upper storeys should be “more recessive particularly in the centre and rear of the site”.
However with four on-site car spots, the development wouldn’t add to traffic concerns at the busy school precinct, Mr Gaschk stated.
“It will be important that on-site parking on the site is easily accessible, to ensure that any additional on-street parking … is minimised.”
The applicant Kiet Anh Do had appealed to VCAT after Greater Dandenong Council refused to grant a permit in May 2018.
