Building heights discussions have been thrown off the council table because key stakeholders want more consultation.
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At Thursday’s City of Launceston council meeting, general manager Michael Stretton told the council, and those in the public gallery, that no decision would be made about the Paul Davies report.
“I’ve asked that we withdraw item 15.1 from the agenda today at the request of several association groups that want more engagement with the council now that it has a position,” Mr Stretton said.
The Paul Davies Launceston Buildings Heights and Massing Study divided the central business district into four different precincts with different recommended height levels.
“[We’ll] bring it to a meeting in the new year so that we can make sure the decision,” Mr Stretton said.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce chief executive Neil Grose welcomed the deferral.
“This report holds many concerns for the Launceston Chamber of Commerce and was the subject of a very detailed submission by the Chamber in response to its initial release,” he said.
“The chamber was extremely concerned that new information relating to the Paul Davies report, and interpretations of the findings of the report, were apparent in the council agenda item which had not been either disclosed or discussed with stakeholders such as the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, prior to it being listed on the council agenda.”
Mr Stretton said that the Council was keen to ensure this occurs before the matter is determined by the councillors.
“Now that the council is firming in its direction on the regulation of building heights and massing, it is appropriate to understand the views of stakeholders so that Councillors are fully briefed before they make a final decision on this important decision for our city,” Mr Stretton said.
Mr Stretton said it will take a significant amount of time for any final decisions about the city’s building heights to be introduced into the planning scheme.
“This decision will not impact, delay or cause any detriment to any group, organisation or person involved in the lodgement of a development application,” he said.
In the secondary report, some recommendations have been reduced to nine metre limits.
Mr Grose said the chamber looks forward to fully discussing the report with the councillors as soon as practicable.
Once the report goes to the council for a decision, a special area management plan will be developed, before it becomes part of the council’s planning scheme.