A mixed-use project in the works for Wanneroo, Australia, has been deferred for eight weeks so the developer, Urbis Pty. Ltd., can work with city officials on the plan, which includes self-storage and other businesses. In addition to storage space, the development on Wanneroo Road will include a carpark, a childcare center, a convenience store and three showrooms, according to the source.
City officials recommended that the Metro North-West Development Assessment Panel, a division of the planning commission, deny the application because self-storage isn’t a permitted use in the area. There are also other issues with the proposal, including inadequate vehicle access, a lack of urban water or a wetlands-management plan, and inconsistency with the state planning policy. The property design is also deemed incompatible with the adjacent Yellagonga Regional Park, the source reported.
During a July 18 meeting, Kris Nolan, an urban planner for Urbis, said the company had spent six months working on the plan with Main Roads Western Australia, a government agency that implements road-access policies. The city’s lack of support came as a surprise, said Nolan, who requested a six-week deferral to address the concerns.
Pas Bracone, city planning-implementation director, said the developer was aware of the project’s issues and shouldn’t have been caught off guard by the refusal recommendation. The assessment panel agreed to the deferral to allow time for resolution.
Australia-based Urbis is a public-policy evaluation and consulting firm. For more than 30 years, it has provided market-evaluation, research and strategic-advisory services to several sectors including commercial, education, government, healthcare, industrial, residential, retail, telecommunications and tourism.
Source:
Wanneroo Community Times, Wanneroo Development Decision Postponed Over City of Wanneroo Concerns
