By Andrew Cantwell
A Cranbourne property owner will not be granted an exemption from a ‘public open space’ contribution on his two-lot subdivision after Casey City Council contended the site could be further subdivided in the future.
An exemption could be granted by the council on a two-lot subdivision only if a further carve-up is ‘unlikely’.
A report to last the Casey Council meeting outlined the reasons for rejecting the exemption, regardless of the owner’s stated intent in his request not to further subdivide.
The 856 square metre block in question was in a zone marked for higher density development, the report noted, as it was close to a school, medical centre, pharmacy, train station, a shopping strip, and was a manageable walk from the Cranbourne CBD.
The two-lot subdivision approved in late 2015, was right next door to a block hosting three dwellings, with some nearby blocks having as many as five dwellings, the report stated.
And, under Casey’s proposed planning scheme amendment C198, it was more likely that “intense” development – up to four storeys – would occur in that zone.
The report cited a number of VCAT decisions relating to similar subdivision issues, concluding the request for exemption should be refused.
The report’s recommendations to that effect were passed without comment at last Tuesday’s meeting.
