Amended plans for four-storey hotel gets council backing

COUNCILLORS again debated a controversial planning application to develop a four-storey residential hotel, apartment and retail complex at 85 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.

At their recent meeting last Wednesday, September 21, a report recommended that councillors support an amended application after it was originally refused in December last year by council.

The refusal had been appealed to VCAT, with the amended plans presented at last week’s meeting before it heads to another VCAT hearing scheduled for October 3, for three days. 

This application originally proposed to develop the land for a five-storey mixed use development, comprising of a basement level and five floors including a rooftop deck, with a maximum height of 17.1m from ground level.

This included:

• Basement level containing 46 car parking spaces and building services

• A ground floor commercial area containing two (2) food and drink premises fronting Thompson Avenue and four (4) retail tenancies with a pedestrian interface to the Cowes Cultural Hub precinct to the south, ranging in size from 95sqm and 132sqm; 

• Eleven apartments across the first to third floor (six 2 bedroom (three with separate studies) and five 3 bedroom (one with a separate study); and 

• A forty-six room hotel. 

However, the amended plans proposed:

• Removal of the fifth storey and now the recession of the fourth storey with a proposed height of approximately 13.7 metres to the top of the fourth storey.  It is noted that the overall height to the roof top services is still at 17.1m.

• Forty-three hotel rooms proposed (previously 46 hotel rooms)  

• Five residential apartments proposed (previously 11 residential apartments) 

* The application still calls for a reduction in the carparking space requirement, asking for council to allow 29 spaces fewer than required instead of 40. The basement carpark will provide 44 spaces under the amended application.

The following includes uses and arrangement of the proposal: 

• Ground floor: food and drink and retail spaces (712sqm).  Hotel lobby, gym and pool at ground floor to the rear of the site. 

• Second floor:   14 hotel rooms and 2 residential apartments (3 bedrooms) 

• Third floor:  15 hotel rooms and 2 residential apartments (3 bedrooms) 

• Fourth floor:  13 hotel rooms and 1 residential apartment (3 bedrooms) 

Alternative
During council’s meeting, Cr Ron Bauer produced an alternative motion seeking to refuse the application.

Cr Bauer explained the shire needed to ‘make a stand’ and “champion our three-storey height limit.”

“If we adopt these revised plans, it would be the third time in this year alone that we are ignoring height creep,” he said. 

“One in Inverloch and now two in Cowes.

“Most importantly if this project goes ahead it will impact on the most important building in Cowes, the new cultural centre. 

“We are spending a small fortune to build one of Australia’s show piece buildings only to have the vista and vibe encroached upon by an apartment block.”

Cr Les Larke also voiced his support Cr Bauer’s motion, however, the alternative was ultimately lost in a 4-5 vote. 

Overall, councillors voted in favour of adopting the recommendation to support the amended proposal, which was subject to a number of conditions.