Community anger sparks change
Coles has had to resubmit plans to use public parking spaces for its $169 million Neutral Bay development following a decision by council to protect its parking lot at Grosvenor Lane.
At its meeting on 13 May, North Sydney Council discussed probity around the Coles’ proposal to build a supermarket, apartments and three levels of basement parking on the current Woolworths at 41 to 53 Grosvenor Street. The above-ground Grosvenor Lane site and part of the underground car park is owned by council.
A Coles spokesperson told North Shore Living: “We will be submitting revised plans showing that only public car spaces will be located on public land to accommodate feedback from council and the community.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with council to deliver positive outcomes for the community, which will include a revitalised town centre, public amenity improvements and underground public car spaces.”
Coles had offered to relocate the public parking underground and create a pedestrian plaza as part of a voluntary planning agreement (VPA). Council has never agreed to this offer, and adjacent landowner Arkadia had already received permission to lodge an alternate scheme for the above-ground half of the Grovenor Lane car spaces and convert the southern portion of the area into a partially pedestrianised plaza. No formal application has been lodged.
Surrounding business owners and locals were upset at the removal of the above-ground parking, and many submissions objected to privatisation of the basement car park. To avoid any potential conflict of interest, council voted on 13 May to a ‘probity plan’. This will ensure council follows ‘principles of impartiality, accountability and transparency,’ manager Neal McCarry said in his report to the 13 May meeting. As part of this, council has voted to allow its chief executive officer to ‘enter into formal negotiations’ directly with Coles, with councillors the final decision maker. Coles welcomed the probity plan, saying: “It is a key milestone and allows us to commence formal discussions on the VPA.”
Height variations are also under discussion, with Coles seeking to exceed council’s maximum height restriction of 16 metres, with a proposed 28 metre tower. “Coles will continue to work with council in relation to the height of the development – a critical aspect of our proposal – as we feel that our development is generally aligned with the draft Neutral Bay Town Centre Planning Study (with) overall community support.”
In his report to council, Mr McCarry said the planning study would not amend council’s planning controls.