A $5.2 million multiple-dwelling complex in Stirling comprising 22 properties has been unanimously approved by State planners.
The vacant 3700sqm site at 6-8 Osborne Place is on the southeast corner of the Mitchell Freeway and Karrinyup Road, with the development’s townhouse style of housing deemed most appropriate for the location.
The development was unanimously approved by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel on Thursday, with the discussion focused on the building classification of multiple dwelling development rather than group dwelling.
DAP presiding member Francesca Lefante questioned the difference between the two terms. She believed the group dwelling classification was more accurate and therefore made the development non-compliant with the area’s R-codes.
However, City of Stirling staff said they were satisfied with its classification as a multiple dwelling, with the plot ratio of each dwelling having some degree of overlap to fall in the multiple dwelling category despite it “presenting as a townhouses”.
The dwellings are all two storeys tall, which is the minimum building height requirement for the area. The maximum is five.
Planning co-ordinator Reegan Cake, from Dynamic Planning who were the applicants on behalf of owners Latenze 2 Pty Ltd, said the responsible authority recommendation from the city to approve the development was welcomed and the developers were fully supportive of all proposed conditions for approval.
He described the development as a “hybrid” form of living compared to a traditional multi-storey apartment complex.
“I think it’s a nicely designed development and it’s located next to the freeway, but obviously it’s got positives in terms of parks over the road and on a caul-de-sac … I’m happy to support this,” DAP deputy presiding member Lee O’Donohue said.
JDAP specialist member John Syme praised the type of housing proposed, labelling it “the missing middle”.
“It’s entirely the case that apartments are not viable here and have not been for a long time — and will not be for a long time,” he said.
“This is an important build form which in my view we don’t get nearly enough of in the metropolitan area.
“It’s a bit baffling to me why the planning framework would not easily allow this; it’s clearly a grouped dwelling development that has been fudged around to make it a multiple dwelling.”
City of Stirling councillor Suzanne Migdale said she was happy with the development and called for more of the same to cater for more upsizers and downsizers.
The development is named Park Lane with the wesbite advertising two bedroom townhomes from $629,000 and three bedroom townhomes from $825,000.