Ratio

Ratio Consultants was instrumental in obtaining approval for a mixed use development in the heart of the Mornington Activity Centre. The proposal was for a 4 level building with basement car park, ground level retailing, with commercial office space and residential apartments above. The designer, David Norman Building and Construction Pty Ltd. achieved an exemplary contemporary design solution for the site, which responded to the objectives and design parameters of the relevant Design and Development Overlay, with design parameters provided by our office.

The Challenge:

To maximise the development potential of the site, including:

• the development of a 4 storey building in a precinct where Council generally supports no more than 3 storeys;
• the provision of an appropriate response to the predominant low-scale street frontage whilst achieving the higher built forms with appropriate setbacks;
• the protection of the amenity of future residents from the noise generated by the nearby Bay Hotel;
• the integration of vehicle access from the rear laneway into a basement car parking level;
• the creation of an appropriate entry point for upper level users without unreasonably interfering with the continuity of the ground level active frontage;  and
• achieving a timely decision.

The Approach:

Ratio and the consultant team undertook pre-application consultation with the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. The project team undertook a comprehensive review of the site and surrounding area, including a review of a number of significant VCAT decisions for other sites along Main Street. Council ultimately supported the proposal, but included a condition that the upper level of the building be removed.
Ratio assisted the client in engaging appropriate legal representation as well as engaging traffic engineers, urban designers and acoustic consultants to provide specialist advice at VCAT.

The Result:

VCAT ordered that a permit be granted for the proposal including the fourth level.