Seniors Housing & Healthcare Trends

LOS ANGELES: Planners have approved a 12-storey downsizers complex for the city centre earlier today.

Plans for a $35 million 12-storey apartment complex across four lots in Leederville have been approved by State planners.

Metro Inner-North Joint Development Assessment Panel members, including City of Vincent Cr Ashley Wallace, unanimously approved on Monday plans from landowner Hanrise Pty Ltd to build 76 apartments across all levels at 194 to 200 Carr Place.

The proposed development includes 11 one-bedroom dwellings, 38 two-bedroom dwellings, 26 three-bedroom dwellings and one four-bedroom dwelling.

Parking will be provided across the ground floor, ground floor mezzanine, first floor and second floor, including a total of 124 car parking bays, 116 resident bays, 11 visitor bays and two motorcycle bays.

A total of 74 bicycle bays including 53 residents’ bicycle bays will be in the car parking area, 12 visitor bicycle bays will be within the ground floor lobby and there will be nine bicycle bays along the verge.

Communal amenities for residents are planned for the seventh floor, while a pocket park for both public and residential use is proposed for the ground level and next to the street.

The JDAP panel previously approved plans for an eight-storey apartment building with 52 apartments at the site on March 13, 2020.

The city approved amended plans on March 18, 2022, including a reduction in the number of dwellings from 52 to 51, more single and three-bedroom apartments, less residential car parking but more landscaping.

But applicant Taylor Burrell Barnett, on behalf of the landowner, had sought to increase the height of the development so it would align with the city’s draft Leederville precinct structure plan, which will replace the current Leederville masterplan and guide future development within the locality.

“The revised design maintains many of the important elements of the original design, including the approach to create the appearance of a collection of buildings rather than a singular tower,” applicant Taylor Burrell Barnett senior associate Trent Will wrote in a submission to the JDAP.

“The massing of the building is broken down into three distinctive tower elements, each with façades that have their own character and identity.”

The draft precinct plan is being reviewed by the WA Planning Commission, with no set date for completion. It requires approval before it becomes operational.

Under the draft plan, building on the four lots can be up to 10 storeys. This limit can be increased to 14 if certain objectives are met, including that the development is “well-landscaped with lots of shade, green spaces and places to relax”.

“The application is suitable for additional height under the provisions of the draft LPSP due to the inclusion of the pocket park, community garden, dwellings designed in accordance with Liveable Housing Australia and the amalgamation of the four properties,” a city report said.

JDAP deputy presiding member Lee O’Donohue said the proposed height of 12 storeys was “appropriate”.

“I feel confident given it’s gone through the journey it has … I feel confident we can give it regard if not due regard,” she said.

“The actual design of the buildings is fantastic — to break it up in to three separate forms, provide a variety of materials and a range of landscaping, it’s a very well thought out and well designed proposal.”

But a resident living in an apartment complex across the road at 201 Carr Place told JDAP panel members the proposed building was “blocky” and the setbacks for each level did not meet the draft plan’s requirements.

“Overall, the bulk and scale of the proposed building will dwarf all other buildings in the street and also those on Vincent Street,” she said.

Mr Will wrote in a submission on behalf of the landowner the development would fit in the Leederville town centre.

“The proposed development is generally consistent with the height and scale permitted within the current and draft planning framework,” he wrote.

“Whilst the development is higher than its existing surroundings, consideration should be given to the future intended outcomes for Leederville.”

The city held community consultation on the plans from January to February and received eight submissions in support and 15 objections.

Reasons for support included that the development would increase density and vibrancy in the area, the bulk, scale and brick finishes were appropriate and it would bring life back into the heart of Leederville’s entertainment precinct.

Concerns included increased traffic, visitor parking was inadequate and there would be overshadowing and loss of visual privacy for adjoining properties.