39A Elizabeth Bay Road Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011

ATTN: Amy Douglas
City of Sydney
Re: DA D/2017/1518 – 39a Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay, NSW 2011

I wish to lodge an objection regarding the above application. I reside at Karori, 14/49 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay and my building backs onto the rear of 39A Elizabeth Bay Road. My bedrooms and sunroom (along with another 8 apartments in Karori) directly face the rear of that property, approximately 6 metres away.

My comments are below:
Survey Diagrams of the application:
- The survey shows a discrepancy between the true north of their survey and the one Karori commissioned for our south retaining wall. The true north is rotated approx 10 degrees to the west, compared to ours, hence the shadow diagrams are inaccurate.
- The shadow diagram at 12pm appears incorrect and is therefore misleading.
- The drawings refer to an approved DA submitted in 2009 (D/2009/1985), which actually expired on 8/02/2012
- The proposed addition does not comply with the FSR of the site.
- The proposed addition does not comply with the max height limit of 18m, in particular to the East of the site, facing Karori No 49, where the breach in height is about 2.7m (1 storey).

Noise and Privacy:
- These are two of the most important issues facing many residents living in this densely populated suburb and contribute to considerable and ongoing conflict, stress and well being of its residents.
. There are considerable privacy issues in relation to the 2 new additional floors, with 3 terraces overlooking many bedrooms/sunrooms of Karori apartments that face 39A. This will undoubtedly lead to noise issues from the same terraces which would open up and be used as extensions to the living and dining areas which would adversely affect the privacy of 49 Elizabeth Bay Road and other surrounding apartments.
. As living spaces to residential units the use of these terraces could not be readily controlled, particularly in regard to amplified noise and parties held on the terraces.
. It is noted that the building at 41 Elizabeth Bay Road (adjoining the development site to the north) which was built c 2008 with walls on and adjacent to the boundary of 49 Elizabeth Bay Road, was constructed with opaque glass blocks or full privacy screening to any opening facing Karori, thereby protecting the privacy and amity of residents in Karori. The same level of visual and aural privacy controls and consideration must therefore be applied to the subject site.
. The rear elevation of 39a Elizabeth Bay Road currently has blank walls facing Karori (49 Elizabeth Bay Road). The elevation is built right on the boundary of 49 Elizabeth Bay Road. The gap between 39A and 49 Elizabeth Bay Rd of only 6 meters and acts as an amplifier of sound due to the hard surfaces of brick walls and concrete.
. Air-conditioning, exhaust and ventilation of the basement restaurant? This is not clear on the plans and is of concern as it may end up being located on the edge of the boundary of 39A and 49 Elizabeth Bay Rd, 6 meters from our building. More details are needed.

Yours sincerely
Susanne James
6 December 2017