By Mikayla van Loon
An application for an individual amendment to the Yarra Ranges planning scheme has been received by the council for a property in Mount Evelyn.
The 5,160 square metre block of land with an existing dwelling at 27-33 Old Hereford Road, Mount Evelyn sits within the Low-Density Residential Zone meaning a subdivision would require two blocks of 4000 square metres each.
Applicant Lang baulch has already submitted a permit application to build another dwelling on the land but requires State government approval of an amendment to the Specific Controls Overlay to subdivide the property.
“I’ve worked with the council over the last two years to prepare a site specific amendment request,” he said.
“In April 2019, the council approved a planning permit to allow me to build a second dwelling so I could live next door to my ageing parents.
“While it is good that I have the building permit it is obvious that I would like to subdivide so if my parents ever need to sell, my parents property is subdivided to allow me to have my own title and I can stay living where my house will be built.”
Mr Baulch said all bushfire risk assessments and overlay considerations had been followed in his request, having engaged three different consultants to advise him of the strategic justification.
Speaking at the council meeting on 14 June, Mr Baulch said the subdivision would merely create a boundary for the already approved second dwelling.
Councillor Tim Heenan put forward the motion to send this amendment request to the planning minister and said there were quite a few anomalies with lot sizes in Mount Evelyn.
“I believe there is strategic justification for this to go to the minister,” he said.
Councillor Fiona McAllister seconded the motion and said it aligned with the council’s priorities and planning provisions in the area.
The motion was carried unanimously.
