Couple in the dark over three story flats (plus update Frid. 28th March)

A young couple told the Councils Development Assessment Panel meeting a few weeks ago that
“At no point during the extensive design approval process did the City Edge Consortium or the Charles Sturt Council tell us that our single story home would be out of place among three story developments”
The first-home owners were objecting to the development proposed for 5 Brown Street Brompton which includes 4 three story flats located on the boundary of their almost completed house on Mann Drive. (The proposed flats are to be 9.4 meters high and would cast a shadow over the Mann Drive home in the afternoons).
The meeting was told of a visit by the General Manager of the City Edge Consortium to the parents’ home where the couple were asked to swap their site on Mann Drive for a different, and smaller lot elsewhere – “for reasons he would or could not disclose”.
The dispute is yet to be resolved, with Council asking for further information from the developers of the Brown Street proposal. It is unwise to make any comment on the merits of the parties submissions here.
But more general conclusions can be considered. Is it possible that such a new home builder not be aware of development applications for their immediate area?
Unfortunately in this case, it is. Firstly, because the City of Charles Sturt Development Register lists the Brown Street development as “ten two story units” – no mention of any three story development at all. So the first that the Mann Drive couple would know of the problem would be with the “Development Approved” recommendation from the City Planning Department to the Assessment Panel.
Secondly, since there appears to a professional “code of silence” amongst planners and developers which prevents them from doing what to ordinary people is the obvious thing to do – tell people what is going on.
This “code of silence” extends to area wide planning initiatives too – how many residents would have been told by their Council staff or elected representative that a proposal for rezoning of the area from Ovingham to Woodville is being prepared by the Planning department of Charles Sturt Council?
“The purpose of the Residential Growth Strategy and Character Study is to undertake a strategic review of residential land within the city to identify where increased residential development and regeneration can occur. Residential character areas will also be reviewed to determine and document the character elements. The study will determine if change is required to existing zones and policy areas and assist with updating desired character statements and residential design standards.”
“A major challenge for accommodating growth in the corridors, particularly the Port Road / Torrens Road corridor is the high concentration of Residential Character Zones which contain Historic Conservation Areas. Approximately 40 percent of the Port Road / Torrens Road corridor is within a Residential Character Zone and the areas surround the railway stations.”
( http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/cd09-12-07.pdf )
It is suggested by Council Committee that a proposed Community Consultation Process for the rezoning study be replaced by “focus groups of 8 to 10 people”
If the Residential Character / Heritage zones are watered down, the result may well be many many more Brown Street style developments – a possibility one would expect to be informed of by the Ward Councillors, or the local MP Michael Atkinson. Perhaps YOU have been, but then again, maybe not. Perhaps you’ll be given a say as a member of a focus group instead? I just hope this helps you make up your mind for whom to vote next time you get a chance…

UPDATE  Friday 26th March 5:28

After searching the surrounding area of City Edge, I found a Development Application (see : http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/252_2551_09_-_Lot_59_Mann_Drive_Brompton.pdf  )
which seems to indicate that a 4 story flat development is proposed for the other side of the single story family home in Mann Drive. These are to be located  located on d79145 lot 59 and d79145 lot 217, Corner Mann Drive and Thornes Lane. If the Shadow diagrams are to be believed, this will put most of the home on lot 61 in shade from one side or the other in the mornings and the afternoons.