Developers make first move on Pako North

PROPONENTS of a planned four-storey commercial building have used the Pakington Street North Urban Design Framework (UDF) as justification for its development despite the plan yet to receive formal endorsement by Geelong council.

Planners acting for Dental Boutique have submitted a planning proposal with the City of Greater Geelong to develop an empty block currently used as a carpark at 84 Pakington Street, Geelong West, for a commercial building with a bottom-floor café/hospitality business.

The building would include three separate commercial tenancies above the café, with its top two floors set back from the façade to minimise visual impact.

The planned development, between Maitland Street and Anglesea Terrace, is part of the Pakington North precinct of the UDF – which councillors voted to defer last year and is yet to adopt at a council meeting.

But planning documents repeatedly reference the Pakington Street and Gordon Avenue UDF in arguing for the proposal.

“The Pakington Street/Gordon Avenue Urban Design Framework sets the vision for the Pakington Street North precinct which promotes a future hub of sustainable shop-top living, with local shops, offices and communal spaces at lower levels and high-quality apartments above,” the report stated.

“The proposed mix of uses activates the ground floor with a hospitality use and provides tenancies which encourage a mix of compatible commercially based uses in accordance with the Urban Design Framework.”

The same planning document references the UDF when arguing its case for building heights, reduced carparking at the site and the changed streetscape.

Concerns around traffic management, perceived “overdevelopment” due to excessive building heights and changes to the character of the precinct have spurred passionate community opposition to the UDF since it was first exhibited in August 2021.

Conjecture towards the plans led to the first deferral last year and has continued since the city provided further information from August this year during a further consultation round.

The proposed site of the development would have building heights capped at four storeys in a draft UDF that will shortly go before councillors for a final vote.

The UDF aims to introduce planning controls for the popular Geelong West strip as further residential and commercial development is expected for the site in coming years.

No building height limits are currently in place for the precinct, though this application would seek an exception to minimum car parking requirements in anticipation of future public and active transport infrastructure.

The development plan is open for community comment until November 17.

Meanwhile, COGG will likely vote on adopting the final Pako North UDF at its meeting on November 22.