Planning Commission approves seniors beach apartment development
LOS ANGELES: Boomer pressure is driving changes to the planning code. Seniors now have exclusive beach access from ultra modern high rise seniors apartments.
The WA Planning Commission has approved a controversial eight-storey apartment development on a prime beachfront site in Sorrento, despite firm opposition from the City of Joondalup council.
The $73.7 million Megara development on the Sorrento Plaza site on West Coast Highway will feature 75 apartments across cascading levels, with restaurant, cafe and small liquor store on the ground floor opening on to a 700sqm public plaza.
The 5777sqm site currently contains White Salt Cafe, Il Pirata, a BWS liquor store, West Coast Yoga and Primus Home Loans.
Popular breakfast cafe Voyage Kitchen has departed already, re-opening three weeks ago in another coastal hotspot between City Beach drawcards Odyssea and Hamptons.
The approved vision — dubbed Ora Sorrento — includes apartments up to four bedrooms in size, a gym, swimming pool, outdoor entertainment area, a central landscaped podium on the second floor and 227 parking bays.
It comes after the Joondalup council voted in September to advise the WAPC it did not support the proposal, the second large-scale attempted rejuvenation after earlier plans for apartments, restaurants and retail stores ranging from three to six storeys were abandoned several years ago.
Although the council acknowledged redevelopment of the area was welcome and the current application was for a high quality design, the council said it did not meet the requirements of the Sorrento Activity Centre Plan, which allowed for a maximum building height of five storeys.
“The proposed height is out of context with the immediately surrounding residential area in which it is situated and if implemented, will have a significant adverse impact on the streetscape and residential character of the local area,” the council’s submission to the WAPC said.
During the public consultation phase, 464 submissions were received with 46.3 per cent objecting to the proposal.
State Development Assessment Unit planning director Paola Di Perna said the development should be approved as the concerns had been “largely addressed” through revised plans.
Speaking at the WAPC meeting on Thursday, Megara Property development manager Trent Durward said aim was to get on site in the second half of 2023.
“The site has been undeveloped for more than two decades with all six lots now secured by Megara through an arduous land assembly process,” he said.
“It is the only beachfront premium parcel of land between Scarborough and Mindarie zoned for high quality, high-density, mixed-use development.”
Mr Durward said he expected some of the existing tenancies would return to the site.
“We look forward to delivering a quality architectural statement, new accommodation choices, and rejuvenation of the centre with recreational amenities and commercial activity that will integrate with the beachfront area,” he said.
According to a WAPC report, the development was expected to inject $6.8m into the WA economy once completed and create 62 jobs at the commercial businesses.
During the meeting, Marmion, Sorrento, Duncraig Progress and Ratepayers Association’s Stuart Hawkins said the height and scale of the development was “astounding” compared to the surrounding residential area.
“This is very concerning to our community,” he said.
However, White Salt Cafe owner Claire Leech said it would be a “welcome boost to tourism” and provide a “wonderful community hub”.
“We are so happy that it includes a significant amount of upgrades to both the site and public areas as the area has lacked investment for decades and is looking tired and in need of an upgrade,” she said.
