A 15-storey apartment block planned for Belmore Street in Wollongong, next to the train line, will need to be exempt from height limits.
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The development application lodged with Wollongong City Council states the building, a mix of residential and retail, will rise to 48.4 metres.
The maximum height allowed by the Wollongong Local Environment Plan is 48 metres and the developer has applied for an exemption from that limit.
"The extent of the variation above the 48-metre height limit is minor and only 0.4 metres (48.4 metres above natural ground at its maximum point)," the exemption application stated.
There are no apartments over the 48-metre limit - the extra 40 centimetres in height comes from rooftop solar panels and the lift overrun.
"To reduce the height would partially result in a wider tower footprint, believed to be an inferior urban design outcome at this location," the exemption application stated.
The site will take up four lots on Belmore Street, just on the corner where it joins the western end of Smith Street.
The proposed tower includes retail and commercial premises on the ground floor with 63 residential apartments above.
The breakdown will see 11 three-bedroom apartments, 45 with two bedrooms and seven with one bedroom.
Level 4 will feature a communal open space and garden areas.
Parking for 76 cars - for residential, commercial and visitor purposes - is also included.
"The development comprises of a mix of residential uses which will enable the highest and best use of the site to be realised, in turn supporting a mix of apartment types and sizes," the development application stated.
According to a traffic study lodged with council, the development is predicted to add 47 vehicle movements per hour in the morning peak and 32 in the evening.
"The surrounding traffic network will operate at a satisfactory level of service post development," the traffic study said.
"The dilution of vehicle trips into the road network from the development site via Smith Street, Market Street, Denison Street and Robinson Street will maintain a satisfactory operational level of service."
The western side of the tower will sit just 34 metres from the train line.
"The external noise level from rail traffic at the closest facade of the dwelling to the rail line is 52 decibels during the day and 53 decibels at night," a study on train noise stated.
The application is on public exhibition until September 6.
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