Church creates mini-city on surplus land footprint
LOS ANGELES: A church has used its surplus land footprint to create an integrated multigenerational community.
A controversial “mini-city” development by a Canterbury church that will see dozens of units built on the corner of a busy intersection has been given the green light.
A local residents’ campaign that included a slick video by objectors failed to sway the state planning tribunal, which has ruled the $25m proposal has acceptable amenity and traffic impacts.
Canterbury Baptist Church joined forces with MAB Corporation to redevelop the site to feature a three-storey apartment building on the corner of Balwyn and Canterbury roads.
The 1962 church will remain but tennis courts and some other buildings will be demolished, while the hall and offices are relocated to the eastern part of the block.
Boroondara Council failed to make a decision on the permit in the required time, so the church and developer took the issue to VCAT. The council later said it would have rejected the proposal.
Local group Canterbury Residents Against Overdevelopment said the massive “mini-city” would create “dangerously high levels of traffic and add to the already excessive street parking problems”.
But VCAT said the proposal had positive aspects. “It consolidates the existing use away from the quieter residential environment of Boronia St to the corner of Balwyn Rd and Canterbury Rd where the existing use can better integrate with the adjoining activity centre,” the tribunal decision said.
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- Impression of the proposed multi-unit development.
