The construction of a large student boarding house in the heart of Wollongong CBD is expected to get the green light from the planning panel.
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PRD Architects has submitted plans to build a nine-storey building which will include eight-storeys of 95 rooms and ground floor commercial suites at 9 Crown Lane.
There will be a communal living area on each boarding floor as well as an onsite manager’s office and ground floor reception area.
Two levels of basement parking will provide 21 spaces for boarding house residents, 95 bicycle spaces and four parking spaces for commercial suites.
Development application plans suggest university students will be the targeted tenants.
Wollongong City Council has recommended the development application be approved with conditions by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel, which meets to discuss the proposal on Wednesday night.
The proposal has been watered down from a 10-storey, 100 bed boarding house that was discussed with council staff in September 2017. The applicant was told the proposal would not be supported because it significantly exceeded the height restrictions.
The council’s assessment report said Crown Lane and Rawson/Regent precinct had undergone a “renewal with mixed commercial/residential apartment buildings under construction”. It is close to Wollongong Central shopping centre.
Council staff raised concerns about the height of the building, heritage setting, road access and electricity servicing requirements at the site but believe the concerns can be mitigated.
During public consultation, three submissions were received including one in support and two opposed. Objectors said the boarding house did not fit in the surrounding area, was not close enough to the University of Wollongong, were concerned about noise, losing their views and pedestrian access.
Objectors said the boarding house did not fit in the surrounding area and was not close enough to the University of Wollongong. However, boarding houses are permissible in the CBD and the area is serviced by public transport.
Objectors were worried about noise that would come from the building and concerned about that the proposed building would block the view to Port Kembla for residents in nearby Regent Street apartments.
Pedestrian access at the intersection of Rawson, Regent and Crown Lane is difficult as cars move fast around Rawson and Regent. No footpath is available on the southern side of Crown Lane. However, the intersection will be widened but construction of a footpath is unlikely because buildings abut the road.
A heritage officer had concerns about bulk and height of the proposed building but revised plans show reduced bulk on the western and eastern sides and now a timber veneer and white facade are proposed, which satisfies the officer.
No demolition work is required as the site is vacant.
An operational plan of management has been undertaken. An on-site manager would be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Use of the outdoor communal open spaces would be permitted 7.30am-10pm, 7 days a week. Indoor communal areas are available 6am-10pm, 7 days a week. Visitors to the premises are allowed and must vacate the premises by 10pm. The communal kitchen can be used 5am midnight, 7 days a week. All residents would have security card access to the building.
