Rejected Molonglo Valley projects back on the table
Two contentious Molonglo Valley apartment proposals are back on the table - three months after they were rejected amid concerns they would result in a major "overdevelopment" of the sites.
Artist impression of the proposed Luxe apartment complex, which was rejected in February but is now back on the table.
Developer's POD Projects Group and 3 Property Group have asked the ACT Planning and Land Authority to have a second look at their applications for projects in Coombs and Wright respectively.
In both cases, the proponents have revised their original designs, including reducing the number of homes, to address concerns raised by government planners.
But the resident campaigning to protect Molonglo Valley from overdevelopment says the changes don't go far enough, as he urged the planning authority to take a "strong stand" by refusing the amended proposals.
The authority rejected the two projects within a month of each other, and for similar reasons.
Both projects were considered too tall and bulky for their respective sites, with the authority raising particular concerns about overshadowing of neighbouring properties.
In each case, the proponents wanted to vary their site's crown leases in order to build substantially more apartments than what was intended when the blocks were sold.
POD Projects wanted to build 123 units on land off the Arthur Blakeley Way/Colbung Street intersection, which was earmarked for 40 dwellings.
3 Property Group sought permission to build 244 units on land at the corner of John Gorton Drive and Opperman Avenue, where 107 dwellings had been envisaged.
Under its revised plan, POD Projects have reduced the number of units planned for the complex from 123 to 107. A planned seven-storey building has also been scaled back to six levels, while extra space has been created for large trees.
Although the amended proposal still exceeds the site's dwelling limit, POD Projects director Paul O'Donnell said the complex was suitable for the area.
"The block has always been zoned RZ5 (high-density housing), so it's appropriate," Mr O'Donnell said.
In its revised application, 3 Property Group has proposed only minor tweaks to the original designs for the so-called "Luxe" estate, including the removal of two townhouses, changes in facade design and increases in landscaped areas and communal open space.
The Canberra Times contacted 3 Property Group's directors, Gary Kelly and Jamie Farrelly, but did not receive a response before presstime.
News that the two projects have resurfaced has been met with disappointment by Wright resident Ryan Hemsley, who established the "Save Molonglo" Facebook group at the height of opposition to another Coombs development - Zapari's 212-unit project.
Mr Hemsley said in his view, POD Projects had "done the bare minimum" to address community concerns about the proposal.
"What they keep telling us is that we have to look at these projects in isolation - but the reality is there they are not, there are houses right next door," Mr Hemsley said.
Mr Hemsley, who hailed the original rejection of the projects as a "major slap down" of the developers, said he hoped the ACT Planning and Land Authority would refused the amended proposals.
"They need to take a stand," he said.
"It's not like what's being built is exactly award-winning stuff."