The Town of Cambridge is considering winding back some of its higher-density provisions following significant community backlash against its draft local planning scheme.
Community Feedback Drives Changes
The draft local planning scheme No. 2 was released for public consultation last year, and the council received a report on the feedback on Tuesday. The new plan is intended to replace Cambridge's existing local planning scheme and set new guidelines for the town's future development.
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey has already approved the update, subject to key density changes for designated activity centres and urban corridors. Mr Carey recommended rezoning the Cambridge Street corridor from its current two to three-storey limit for residential developments to up to nine storeys in some areas.
Key Height Limit Revisions
A similar modification would apply to key activity centres in Floreat, West Leederville and Wembley. Currently, height limits for much of the land in these centres are capped at four storeys or zoned as "mixed use." Under the proposed State Government changes, these strategic precincts would be reclassified as R-AC0, allowing for greater building heights, plot ratios and residential densities.
The popular Empire Village Shopping Centre on The Boulevard at City Beach could also be redeveloped to seven storeys, and the former Newman Junior College site to four storeys under the changes.
Resident Concerns
According to the town's feedback report, 322 submissions were received from western suburbs residents, mostly expressing concern about the proposed density changes and their potential flow-on effects on local traffic, infrastructure capacity and neighbourhood character. Most of the 28 agencies and public authorities that provided a response were generally supportive.
"While some submitters supported higher densities in principle, particularly around activity centres and public transport, many sought clearer justification, stronger transitions and safeguards, and better alignment with the local planning strategy and associated planning guidance," the report said.
Proposed Modifications
In the report to council, town administrators addressed many of the issues raised by the community and proposed a series of modifications to scale back some of the advertised density provisions. This included a reduction in density allocations within the Cambridge Street urban corridor precincts to help moderate future traffic demand.
The report also states that building heights associated with some of the proposed density codes were "excessive in some areas" and recommended more gradual transitions between higher-density precincts and surrounding residential neighbourhoods to minimise amenity impacts.
In relation to the former Newman Junior College site on Peebles Road, officers recommended that if State planning authorities ultimately decide to depart from the Town's adopted Local Planning Strategy, the land should be capped at an R50 density code.
"Draft LPS2 requires modifications to better align with the objectives and strategic directions of the local planning strategy," the report said.
Next Steps
A decision on the new local planning scheme is expected to be made at the town's June 30 council meeting. The scheme and the town's recommended modifications will then be referred to the Western Australian Planning Commission for its consideration, and returned for Mr Carey's final approval.
