A four storey mixed commercial and residential building being proposed for the corner of Terralong and Collins Sts, opposite the Leagues Club, will bring wrap around verandahs back to the main street.

However approving the development will require substantial height and floor space ratio (FSR variations) to be made.

The DA, on exhibition until 21 September, is for:

• the demolition of existing buildings (one currently housing First National Coast & Country and Nirand Thai, and the other the adjacent kebab shop)
• the construction of ground level commercial tenancies
• a first floor restaurant
• ten apartments (five two bedroom and five three bedroom)
• three levels of below ground carparking providing 41 car spaces (accessed by two car lifts from Rosebank Place).

The developer argues that four storeys was envisaged for that site in the 2002 Kiama Charrette and the 2019 Town Centre Study, and that pre-lodgement discussions were held with Council.

“They showed us drawings from the Charrette and the Town Centre Study and said this is what the people of Kiama want – so we said this is what we’d like to deliver then,” says developer Dimitri Simons.

“We’d gone in with completely different plans, but they told us this is what we’d prefer to see on the corner.”

A recommendation for the site from the Charrette inspired the design

However the vision of a prominent corner building is not possible using the standard height and FSR restrictions, something that is planned to be incorporated in the new Town Centre DCP.

The proposed building’s height varies from 13.8 to 18.4m and has a Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 3.21:1. This compares to the zone’s height control of 11 metres and FSR of 1.5:1.

The DA’s Environmental Impact Report says, “It is considered that variations to Kiama LEP development standards relating to maximum permitted Building Height and FSR are justified in the context of seeking to achieve an outstanding urban design solution for this prominent landmark corner site.”

The DA is available for viewing on Council's website, via its DA Tracker.