Sylvanvale Foundation is seeking to maximise the value of its head office site at Kareela through an application for the land to be rezoned to allow about 42 townhouses to be built.
The disability services provider plans to move its head office in Garnet Road to a business centre with improved access to public transport and more accessible topography.
The proposed rezoning would increase the sale price of the property, funding the head office relocation and also generating funds to enable construction of future housing for people with a disability, Sylvanvale said.
A Planning Proposal for the rezoning of the 9,538 square metre northern part of the site from SP2 Infrastructure to R3 Medium Density Residential has been submitted to Sutherland Shire Council.
"While most R3 zones in the Sutherland Shire are located very close to local centres, the overall size of the site and its unique characteristics offer an opportunity for the new development to have a point of difference to the typical shire medium density areas," the Planning Proposal stated.
"In this respect it is noted that it will be situated in a quiet, leafy residential area, which is likely to be highly desirable as a place to live in the future."
Sylvanvale Foundation, formerly known as the Handicapped Children's Centre NSW, was formed by a group of families in 1947 and initially operated from a hall at Sutherland.
"It is envisaged that the future relocated head office will promote the highest design standards for accessibility and inclusion and will provide facilities well beyond that currently offered at the Garnet Road premises," the Planning Proposal said.
"Moving the head office to a new location will free up some of the site for sale.
"The existing child care centre will be retained on a separate lot, subject of a subdivision development application lodged with Sutherland Council in May 2020 at the same time as this Planning Proposal.
"Given the high demand within the Sutherland Shire for specialist disability accommodation, Sylvanvale are intending to use the funds generated from the sale of the northern part of the Garnet Road site to enable construction of future housing for people with a disability and to secure the new head office space.
"It is therefore paramount that the property is sold for its highest and best use, taking into consideration its unique characteristics and various environmental constraints."
Concept plans provide for 42 "townhouse style dwellings of 2-3 storeys with basement parking".
"Over the last six months various specialist consultants have undertaken studies as part of a background investigation of the site's opportunities, constraints and potential," the Planning Proposal said.
"This work has resulted in development parameters for the possible development concept and underpins the planning proposal for an R3 zone.
"The specialist input includes survey, bushfire, flooding, flora and fauna, traffic, stormwater, arborist, architectural, landscape, community consultation and planning analysis.
"The Planning Proposal demonstrates that the site can be developed with respect to all environmental constraints including bushfire, ecology and flooding.
"It has also addressed potential social and economic effects and demonstrated that there are adequate public infrastructure to support the likely future development."
The submission said community consultation on the plans had taken place.
"Local community organisations, including the Mikarie Childcare Centre, Aspect Australia and Bates Drive School, expressed their support for the proposal," Sylvanvale said.
"The majority of local residents chose not to attend the community information webinar, suggesting a low level of concern.
"Nine local residents attended the community information webinar (from five households) and two feedback emails were received....
"Sylvanvale addressed all of the questions and comments during the engagement period..."
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