Dear City of Boroondara Council
I am writing to object the above development at 37 Derby street Kew. As a resident of Derby street I feel that this development will have a major affect on the Derby street landscape. Derby street has a treasured history of historic period homes and will lose its character to the construction of yet another apartment building. We need to restore these beautiful home rather than knock them down. If this beautiful Victorian historical home at number 37 is destroyed, we will lose a part of history and the character to which our street and suburb is known for.
Furthermore, building yet another apartment block (along side two existing apartment buildings) will change the street density. Theses multi-story developments need to be spread out so they don't dominate any particular street. With another multi-level apartment block there will less parking to already inadequate parking options on the street. In addition, there will be increased traffic in the street.
As one of many parents of young children walking to our local school at Kew Primary along Derby street and up Malmsbury street, I would be very concerned about the safety of walking to school if this construction went ahead. There would be many demolition and excavation trucks moving in and around the street and would impose an immediate danger to the safety of our children particularly those children that ride their bikes to school.
The city of Boroondara Planning Scheme and Neighbourhood Character Precinct Statements classifies Derby Street as a 'Precinct 9' which would appear to give residents grounds to object the proposed demolition of an existing period home and the construction of the 4 story 16 apartment building based on some of the following points-
The preferred character statement says '....ensuring design that intergrates with the heritage styles of the precinct' , 'loss of historical buildings and removal/loss of large trees.
The Design Guidelines says they need to avoid 'large bulky buildings that dominate adjoining dwellings' and 'block-like apartment buildings which have a footprint that is both wide and deep'
In summary I wish for you to please consider my objections based on Borrondara council's Precinct 9 code for Derby street in both the destruction of our beautiful heritage landscape of Derby street and in Kew area and the building of an unsightly box-like apartment block that will bring further more traffic and less parking to the area.
Kind regards
A Jackson
Owner - Derby street Kew
(No donation or gift has been made to either Councillor or Coucil employee)