A luxury, five-storey apartment block, with one unit per level, is the latest development proposal for the Esplanade at Cronulla.
The development, including three levels of basement parking, would replace a three-storey building next to a public walkway from Mentone Avenue to the Esplanade.
Many walkers on the Esplanade would envy the residents of the existing building, which comprises two large flats and parking underneath.
However, the building is described in the development application (DA) as being of "dated and relatively unattractive appearance, providing poor environmental performance and substandard occupant amenity".
The construction cost of the project would be more than $7 million.
The DA sought a variation to the prescribed maximum building height of 16 metres in the local environmental plan (LEP). The proposed development would be 16.4 metres.
The DA said surrounding buildings were generally two to four storeys.
"However, council's planning controls clearly envisage a slightly higher residential density use, with a height control of 16 metres and floor space ration of 1.5:1 for land surrounding the Cronulla Town Centre," the document said.
"As such, it is anticipated the area will continue to undergo redevelopment, changing to a higher density environment, given the high property values and amenity of the locality."
The DA said the visual impact on surrounding residents would be small and limited to properties to the south and south-east, and some units at the rear in Mentone Avenue.
Because the block is so narrow - only 15 metres wide facing the Esplanade - a reduction in the separation between the building on the northern side would also be less than advised in the Apartment Design Guide (ADG).
The DA said the ADG was a guideline only and not a strict set of standards.
"The variation does not detract from the site's capacity to provide high level amenity for future occupants of the site and adjoining sites or the streetscape."
"Variation of the ADG building separation provision is common in most recent residential flat building approvals in Cronulla and is a symptom of the site geometry for these infill sites."
