Neil Cooney

Town Planner 0479061172 cooneyneil@gmail.com

Education BSc Spatial Planning PgDip Marine Spatial Planning

Experience

Sean Lucy & Associates Ltd. Town & Country Planning Consultancy Ireland May 2007– May 2011

- Executive Planner Moreland City Council, Melbourne August 2011– August 2015

- Statutory Planner

- Principal Planning Enforcement Officer

- Planning Team Coordinator

Enclosed: Melbourne Portfolio

1. Delegate Report Assessment Summary: Mixed Use Development Nicholson St. Brunswick East

2. Delegate Report Assessment Summary: Multi-Unit Residential Development Weston St. Brunswick East

3. Delegate Report Assessment Summary: Multi-Unit Residential

Development / Heritage Site Union St. Brunswick

Neil Cooney

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1. Mixed Use Development Nicholson St. Brunswick East

PROPOSAL & ASSESSMENT SUMMARY Construction of a three storey building containing fourteen dwellings and two shops on a site located in a Mixed Use

Zone, with the predominant land use in the area being residential. Total site area of 624.64 m2.

The application was advertised and 6 objections were received.

The key issues included the impact on the adjoining properties and the design of the proposed development in respect of

its scale and height having regard to the provisions of the Brunswick Structure Plan, Local Policy and the provisions of

Clause 55 of the Planning Scheme.

Located on a corner site within the Brunswick Activity Centre; offering an opportunity for a larger development.

Following negotiations with the applicant, including a significant redesign from a previous refusal, the development

reached high compliance with Council policy and was approved.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS Design & Development Overlay recently expired and the Brunswick Structure Plan was adopted by Council but not

within Planning Scheme. The majority of issues arose in a previous refusal for a development of a similar scale. These

were resolved through a number of meetings with the applicant and architect. These resolutions included:

Increased active frontage at ground floor level;

High quality materials and façade treatment;

Environmentally sustainable design features;

Adaptable apartments;

Public works plan, improving streetscape.

Neil Cooney

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2. Multi-Unit Residential Development Weston St. Brunswick East

PROPOSAL & ASSESSMENT SUMMARY Construction of a three storey building containing six dwellings on a site located in a Residential 1 Zone, with the

predominant land use in the area being residential. Total site area of 471m2.

The application was advertised and 7 objections were received.

The key issues included the impact on the adjoining properties, and the design of the proposed development in respect

of its scale, site coverage and height having regard to the provisions of the Brunswick Structure Plan, Local Policy and

the provisions of Clause 55 of the Planning Scheme.

Located on a unique site between an old church and old hotel, provided an opportunity for a larger development.

Following design negotiations with the applicant, including a significant redesign from the original proposal, the

development reached high compliance with Council policy and was approved.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS Active residents advocated for a small scale design. The key issues were the amenity impact on the adjoining properties,

and the design of the proposed development in respect of its size and height having regard to Council’s Neighbourhood

Character and Strategic Policy.

The majority of nearby residential development on the street was small scale, with relatively open rear yards. Significant

issues were raised early in the application stage. These were resolved through a number of meetings with the applicant

and architect. These resolutions included:

Reduction from 7 dwellings to 6;

Increase in setbacks;

Front façade treatment and design alterations;

Inclusion of landscaping within front setback;

Reduction of overshadowing to adjoining properties.

Neil Cooney

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3. Multi-Unit Residential Development / Heritage Site Union St. Brunswick

PROPOSAL & ASSESSMENT SUMMARY Construction of a two storey building containing three dwellings on a site located in a Mixed Use Zone, with residential

and commercial uses in close proximity. Total site area of 188m2.

The application was advertised and 1 objection was received.

The key issues included the impact on the adjoining property to the east, the car parking provision and the design of the

proposed development taking into consideration the heritage overlay pertaining to the site.

Located on a corner site with a laneway to the rear, and notwithstanding the narrow nature of the site (5.41 m), it had

strong strategic support for more intensive development. Following detailed design negotiations with the applicant,

including sensitive alterations to address heritage and amenity concerns, the development reached high compliance with

Council requirements and was approved.

This 1890s Victorian butcher’s shop went on to win the top award for multi-residential development as well as the

accolade for being the best heritage conservation project in the 2014 Building Designer’s Association of Victoria awards.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS Significant heritage building in Brunswick with an intact and relatively well preserved front façade. Full site coverage, in

conjunction with the narrow lot width, gave rise to possible adverse impacts on the adjoining residence. The key issues

included balancing the heritage values and restrictive characteristics of the site with the strategic support for more

intensive development.

Matters of consequence were discussed throughout the application stage. These were resolved through a number of

discussions with the applicant, architect, heritage advisor and objector. These resolutions included:

Alteration to the design of the roof and side boundary to reduce overshadowing to adjoining private open space;

Specific detailed design to the façade and front roof deck to retain the integrity of the heritage building;

Inclusion of dedicated bicycle racks for the two dwellings without car spaces;

Addressing potentially contaminated land issues through specialist assessment.