2018-11-12 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             12 NOVEMBER 2018


     … the units are currently being used as standard rental units it is difficult to enforce
     restrictions on how the units can be used by any tenants… .The applicant has however
     advised that they have asked the tenants to be mindful of the neighbours and restrict any
     noise after 9pm.
     The applicant also stresses that the application will involve the relocation of all common
     outdoor areas to the front of the site away from neighbours to a covered and walled area.
     … a recent discussion (17 August 2018) between the applicant and the neighbour of U1/25
     Nebula Street has seen a trial move of a smoking area on the existing Flashpackers site,
     away from the rear of the hostel site which has resulted in a decrease in night time ambient
     noise. The applicant advises that as a result of further feedback from the neighbour the
     private downstairs rooms with outside courtyards of the hostel have now been designed
     non-smoking (removing ashtrays) and no music areas, with signs installed in each room to
     reinforce the need to respect neighbours and quiet areas after 9pm.
     Many of the complaints that are made in the submissions relate to the tenants of the units
     being noisy in their chatter and behaviour between 7pm and midnight since November
     2016… . The applicant advises… based on the police logs, police have attended the site
     on 13 occasions however have only once found any noise to be excessive.
     The applicant advises that there is strict adherence to no music (amplified or not) after
     9pm. This is strictly enforced. As detailed above most complaints relate to the tenants of
     the units talking quietly in the back courtyard.
     The applicant however accepts that guests talking outside whilst at the rear of the hostel
     has potential to create a low level of disruptive noise. The applicant has reacted
     immediately to endeavour to improve this potential by moving the night-time smoking area
     and chairs away from the neighbouring property boundary. Furthermore, the applicant
     reiterates the proposed plans to have all night-time use areas at the street front away from
     all adjoining properties which will achieve the best result for all. The Applicant also advises
     an immediate change to on-site night lighting and has reduced night time security lights to
     turn off earlier at 10pm, again encouraging the idea of a quiet, respectful attitude and use
     which is already displayed on signs around the hostel.
It is noted that the proposal seeks to utilise an existing building which contains dwelling units.
The existing rear unit is situated within close proximity of the rear boundary and therefore the
adjoining properties could reasonably expect to occasionally hear noise from music and social
occasions associated with the use of this dwelling unit. The proposal seeks to located the
manager’s unit in the existing rear unit and therefore the noise from this unit is expected to be
consistent with its existing approved use
The applicant has provided a noise report which included noise monitoring undertaken at the site
for a 7-day period. The report recommends the installation of an acoustic barrier to the northern
and part of the western boundary of 106 Pacific Avenue. The proposed barrier is detailed in red
on the following image:




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