Town Planning Report - Car wash & Food and drink outlet

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      with a number of older commercial developments on the northern side and fronting Elm
      Street. Further, the locality contains other older commercial development to the south fronting
      Cedar Street.

      The site has a fall of about 1.4m from the northwest corner towards the southeast and contains
      an existing sewer main and NBN line and telecommunications pit (refer Existing Conditions
      Layout – Attachment 1). There is an existing sealed crossover in Elm Street and fronting
      Diamond Lane, which are to be removed and reinstated.

      The frontage on Elm Street is improved by a concrete footpath, bus stop and pram crossing
      to the central median strip. The footpath adjoins an existing footpath in Opal Street, which
      also contains some mature trees within the road reserve. A parallel concrete parking area is
      also provided in Opal Street fronting the site.

      Diamond Lane has a narrow road reserve, being about 6.5m in width, and also contains some
      mature trees on the edge of the road reserve fronting the property (refer Figure 1).


      Background

      The site originally contained a Motel; however, this was demolished in about 2017.

      The site has a current development approval (MCU18/0158) for a Material Change of Use –
      Retail Business Type 2 Shop & Salon and Reconfiguring a Lot (boundary realignment). The
      Negotiated Decision Notice issued on 9 August 2019, has a currency of six (6) years, and
      provides for a small shopping centre comprising nine (9) shops.

      The applicant purchased the site with the above approval; however, the development did not
      proceed because of a lack of interest in leasing the tenancies in this location (refer letter from
      the former owner – Appendix A). The letter received from the former owner (Kexron Pty Ltd)
      states … we were disappointed to find that interest in this project was lukewarm. We opined that
      this was possibly because the east side of town lacked appeal to the retail shop owner. It is
      possible the advent of the Corona Virus was negatively affecting this market; regardless there
      was at this time a surplus of vacant shops on Cooroy’s west side. Further, …one consistent
      response was that potential clients were dubious about the placement of retailing between two
      service stations. The general perception seemed to be that locals considered this area to be a
      commercial / industrial site.

      While the subject land has been included within District Centre Zone, it is not well suited for
      additional commercial development in this location and ought to be considered for a more
      specialised and car orientated use. The subject land is not conducive to pedestrian traffic given
      the site is bounded by three road frontages and located between two service stations, making
      the site primarily reliant on passing vehicular trade or operating as a destination site.

      It is noted since the above approval was granted, another development approval
      (MCU19/0001) has issued for a retail and commercial development in Diamond Street not far
      from the subject land. This approval provides for a local convenience store and other shops



      21017 – Kings Group                                                               Page 10