An estimated $8 million market place at Blackstone Heights is one step closer after the Meander Valley Council approved a draft amendment to rezone the land.
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Last Tuesday the council initiated a draft amendment to the 2013 Meander Valley Interim Planning Scheme. It will rezone 6.5 hectares of land at 2 Panorama Road and part of 12 Neptune Drive, Blackstone Heights from a low density residential zone to a local business zone.
The council will also create a specific area plan for the suburb to implement restrictions on the site's allowed uses, building design and size, and allow building coverage to 15 per cent of the land.
A cafe and shop on Panorama Drive are already under construction at the site, but Tasland Developments, a Tasmanian development company based at Prospect, proposes adding to it to create a Blackstone Heights Market Place.
The site's masterplan envisions a permanent open air market, extensive landscaping and open areas, paths, the approved café, an expansion of an existing storage area, a function and meeting space, a playground, car parks and a new road off Neptune Drive.
An area outside the draft planning scheme amendment also proposes a future health, wellbeing and recreation facility.
The council's senior strategic planner Jo Oliver said the draft amendment complied and was supported by regional and local strategy.
"The proposed amendment directly furthers the future direction and strategic outcomes for a thriving local economy," she said.
"The site will become a much desired community hub which has been absent in Blackstone Heights. The proposal enables a range of uses that provide for both community service and retail amenity."
In other news:
The council will exhibit the draft amendment to the public for consideration, before compiling a report addressing any representations and forwarding it to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for assessment.
The amendment would allow developments, that meet all standards of the planning scheme to go ahead without a planning permit including:
- Food services (without a drive through)
- General retail and hire
- Passive recreation, and natural and cultural values management
- Minor utilities
However, bulky garden and landscape materials, medical centres, veterinary clinics, residential support services, storage, tourist operations, visitor accommodation, bottle shops, research and development, residential, resource processing (food and beverage), emergency services, community meeting/entertainment and educational/occasional care would be discretionary and therefore require a permit.
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