Preferred character statement

Although there will be mix of land uses in this area, including offices and professional/medical services, the buildings will remain residential in appearance because of their form, heights and setbacks. When viewed from Main Hurstbridge Road, there will be a strong presence of native vegetation including, trees, shrubs and grasses located in the front and rear gardens.

Objectives

• To encourage development that integrates with the existing residential character of the area.

• To encourage more intensive development to provide increased floor-space and efficient use of land.

• To encourage new development to present a predominantly residential appearance in respect to form, heights, set-backs streetscape and landscape.

• To create a strong presence of indigenous vegetation on the main road.

• To protect and enhance the amenity within the activity centre and surrounding established residential neighbourhoods.

Strategies

• Encourage a mix of activities including higher density housing, office development and medical services along the Main Road frontage.

• Ensure redevelopment responds to the existing low-scale residential character to the south.

• Upgrade streets to provide footpaths along the Main Hurstbridge Road edge and provide protection to pedestrians.

Design Guidelines

• Buildings fronting Main Hurstbridge Road should:

- Provide a 5.5m landscaped front setback.

- Encourage an active street frontage at ground level.

- Be designed to provide natural surveillance by addressing the street and overlooking the public realm.

- Include building articulation to create a visually interesting development.

- Locate the main building entrance on the street frontage, so that it is visible and easily recognised and provide access paths to building entrances.

• Buildings should be designed with a predominantly residential appearance with front side and rear setbacks to allow for substantial landscaping.

• Buildings should transition in height and scale downwards to the residential hinterland to the south.

• Landscaping in the front, side and rear setbacks should include indigenous grasses, shrubs, substantial trees and sufficient permeable surface to ensure plant growth. Car-parking should be provided in a basement or to the rear of the buildings to reduce their visual prominence.

• The number of driveway cross-overs should be minimised to improve footpath safety and opportunities for on-street parking.

Refer to the General Guidelines at Section 6.0 for interface setback requirements.