MidCoast Council has conditionally approved a development application for a multi-unit housing development at 172-174 High Street, Taree.
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This was determined at the May 27 ordinary council meeting.
At the meeting, Cr Brad Christensen unsuccessfully pushed for the decision to be deferred to a later date.
His reasoning was to allow those who made written submissions, both for and against the development, to speak to councillors in person when public forums resume in the future.
"I think those people deserve the right to be heard," Cr Christensen said.
"I'm here to represent everyone, not just the applicant, if community members want to be heard I think they should be heard."
Cr Jan McWilliams queried if community members and the applicant would be happy to wait an undetermined amount of time for a decision.
The deferral option was voted on and only supported by Cr Christensen and Cr Peter Epov. The original motion to conditionally approve the development was carried, with Cr Christensen and Cr Epov voting against it.
Cr Claire Pontin was absent from the meeting and Cr Kathryn Bell declared pecuniary interest so neither voted.
The development was applied for by Stuart Hudson on behalf of site owners Philip Thornton and Toni Mitchell.
It includes 11 two-storey units. Each unit will have a deck or courtyard area while large communal and recreational areas such as a vegetable garden and barbecue/ shelter area will be included.
Partial demolition of existing structures will be needed. The development is proposed to take place in four stages.
Council received eight submissions in relation to the development. Some of the issues raised include overshadowing, overlooking from units into adjacent yards, stormwater, streetscape impacts, noise, traffic and property value impacts.
Responses to these issues were featured in a council report.