2016-05-10 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                        10 MAY 2016


Officer’s reasons for refusing the use of “grass cells” within the road reserve are:
    The “grass cells” are not in accordance with Note 6 of Council’s Standard Drawing SEQ R-
      050 which reads: “Approved materials for construction – concrete, paving or asphalt”.
    Whist it is acknowledged that the property owner is responsible for the maintenance of a
      residential crossover the maintenance required for the “grass cells” is significantly more
      than that required for a standard driveway. Any changes in surface level (most likely due to
      cell movement or loss of grass and/or infill material) pose a risk to the public who can freely
      access the road reserve.
    Any failure of the crossover has the potential to adversely affect any buried third party
      services in the road reserve.
The crossovers were subsequently constructed with “grass cells” contrary to the conditions of the
approval.
Officers met and liaised with both the applicant (Suncity Homes) and the property owner during
December 2015 in order to address the issue. The property owner advised Council via email on
the 22 December 2015 that they intended to appeal Council’s decision regarding the use of
“grass cells” and “will deal with this in the new year”. No appeal was subsequently lodged. A
“Show Cause Notice” to the property owner was issued on the 5 January 2016 for undertaking
works contrary to the approval. The owner and Officers have since been in regular contact
regarding a response to the notice and the subject change application was submitted and
properly made on the 11 March 2016.
It is noted that:
    The “grass cell” access driveways and adjoining mulching and landscaping have been
      completed and appear to be currently in good condition,
    There is no pedestrian footpath within Habitat Place,
    The verge areas in Habitat Place are vegetated in sections and pedestrian movement
      along the verge areas is difficult and in some sections, not possible, and
    The other access driveways in Habitat Place are constructed with complying hardstand
      materials.
    A buried water main currently crosses the frontage of the site
Officers have no concerns with the use of “grass cells” for the remainder of the driveway within
the site as it will be a private asset and any associated risks will be the property owner’s
responsibility. However the grass cells for the crossovers do present a trip hazard risk if not
properly maintained in the future.

Previous Council Consideration
Nil

Finance & Risk
Potential liability risk associated with accident on unmaintained driveway.

Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil
Internal Consultation
Nil



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