Following on from our last posting, the residents objecting to the multi unit developments in Mavho and Loranne Streets, Bentleigh have forwarded to us the below advice of dates for the Mavho Street Planning Permit application, ie.
• Planning Conference – 8th September, 2014
• Formal Council Decision Date – 14th October, 2014
We encourage residents residing in and around the 2013 implemented high density zones (ie. the former Housing Diversity Areas) to attend both the planning conference and Council Meeting to gain an understanding of the grounds for objection applicable to these zones and Council’s planning permit and objection handling processes.
The 2013 “new” zone implementation built on the concept of focussing development in locations designated as high density areas under the previous Housing Diversity/Minimal Change Areas policies (implemented in 2002). Unfortunately, while the new zones streamlined the planning permit approval process by prescribing height limits within the zones, the much heralded “certainty” provided by prescribed height limits also removed building heights from being a ground for objection if the development’s height (which excludes roof infrastructure, eg. lift wells, air conditioning units) complied with the prescribed height limit. Residents can still object to a planning permit application on the a number of grounds (eg site coverage, prescribed setbacks, neighbourhood character, provision of private open space, and many other grounds), however, height is no longer a valid ground for objection.
The number of emails GERA is receiving from residents of the high density zones, supports our previous criticism of Council’s implementation of the new zones – “the biggest planning change in Glen Eira’s history” – which was undertaken without actively informing and/or engaging residents. A major justification for this being residents’ extensive knowledge of the previously existing Housing Diversity/Minimal Change Areas – a justification which many residents dispute.
We encourage residents to check which zoning applies to their property. Zone boundaries do not follow standard mapping conventions (eg. one side of a street may be high density but the other side may not, or, within the same street, No. 42 may be high density but No. 44 may not) and distances away from the centre of the high density area vary. GERA’s 11/2013 new zone posting “Where and What Are They” provides a brief outline of the “new” zones and access to zoning maps (“zoom down” for details on a lot by lot basis) which can be accessed from the Department of Planning or GERA’s website*. Residents should also confirm their property’s zoning with Council.
*As per our previous disclaimer,
The DPCD website may be slow in downloading the maps. Maps GERA downloaded 16/9/2013 are available and should be not be taken as current. GERA is not responsible for any map modifications since 16/9/2013.
*******************
Except for GERA highlighting the comment that “it is unlikely the application can be completely rejected due to the Residential Growth Zoning” below is an unedited email received from the Defend Mavho Group. The group may be contacted via email – defendmavho@yahoo.com
URGENT objection update – Important dates 8 September 2014 and 14 October 2014
I have just received emailed advice from Council the Planning Conference for 24 – 26 Mavho Street will take place on 8 September 2014 at 6.30pm at the Glen Eira Council offices, corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield. Meetings are open to the public. The planning conference is chaired by a Councillor and provides the opportunity for applicants, objectors and residents to make submissions in respect to planning applications that have been referred to a Council meeting for a decision. The conference provides a public and open forum where discussion of the proposal can occur between the parties with a view to identifying affected resident concerns, possible means for addressing the concerns and opportunities to improve the proposal. All objectors will be notified in writing of the date, time and place.
Following the planning conference, the application will be referred to a Council meeting for a decision on 14 October 2014 at 7.30pm at Glen Eira Council offices, corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield. Although the Council meeting is open to the public I do not believe there is an opportunity (subject to a ruling by the Mayor of the day) for the public to make submissions to the Councillors.
Please make a note of these dates in your diaries and attend and get your key objection points together to speak to at the Planning Conference. It is a very informal environment but controlled so everyone is heard.
In addition to the above, Councillor Oscar Lobo kindly attended Mavho Street on Sunday 24 August and walked the adjoining properties and our street. Councillor Lobo is a supporter of our objection grounds and he will assist us in advocating to the other Councillors to significantly reduce this inappropriate development. All Councillors are yet to receive their town planning and expert advice; however, it is unlikely the application can be completely rejected due to the Residential Growth Zoning.* So now is the time to get on the email and phone and lobby the Councillors especially our Tucker Ward members (Jamie Hyams, Oscar Lobo and Jim Magee) – we need a majority of 5/9 so get those phone lines burning – Councillor details below.
* GERA emphasis
Cr Jamie Hyams
Phone/fax: 9578 8314
Mobile: 0427 319 018
Email: jhyams@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Oscar Lobo
Phone/fax: 9557 0108
Mobile: 0417 837 418
Email: olobo@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Jim Magee
Phone/Fax: 9563 8360
Mobile: 0427 338 327
Email: jmagee@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Margaret Esakoff
Phone/Fax: 9578 2877
Mobile: 0407 831 893
Email: mesakoff@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Karina Okotel
Mobile: 0424 479 454
Email: kokotel@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Neil Pilling (Mayor)
Phone: 9524 3225
Fax: 9524 3358
Mobile: 0428 310 919
Email: npilling@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Michael Lipshutz (Deputy Mayor)
Phone/Fax: 9530 0438
Mobile: 0400 832 270
Email: mlipshutz@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Mary Delahunty
Phone: 9523 9105
Mobile: 0427 970 879
Email: mdelahunty@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Cr Thomas Sounness
Mobile: 0428 596 951
Email: tsounness@gleneira.vic.gov.au
Glen Eira Residents' Association Inc 