51 Albert Street Petersham NSW 2049

The General Manager
Inner West Council
Petersham NSW 2049

Attn: Asher Richardson
Assessing Officer

REF: DA 201800064
51-53 Albert Street
Petersham NSW 2049

5 March, 2018

Submission by Neil Gregory Lightfoot
55 Albert Street
Petersham NSW 2049
0401 040 574

Re DA proposal for 51-53 Albert Street Petersham

1. Tree - Management
The Tree report submitted in the DA grossly misjudges the size and canopy of the Camphor Laural tree on the front boundary.
a) There is substantial boundary overhanging of the current Camphor Laurel tree and there is no scope in the DA to address this boundary incursion into the adjoining property at 55 Albert. Request plan for tree management of canopy overhang across northern boundary;
b) Additionally there is no scope in the plan to manage root incursion across the boundary fence into 55 Albert. This is a large tree that will continue to grow. Request plan for root management.

2. Construction Site
Owner of 55 Albert has just painted the 1891 Victorian Italianate;
a) To protect the building owner requests erection of a DUST and SILT SITE FENCE INCLUDING SHADECLOTH BARRIER for the full duration of construction.

3. Building Height and Bulk and Scale
Marrickville Local Environmental Plan 2011 prescribes for a maximum of 9.5 metres for the building height for the site. The proposed development exceeds this allowance with a maximum height of 10.55 metres measured from the vertical distance from ground level (existing) to the highest point of the building and excludes the chimneys proposed.
a) The proposed building height dwarfs adjoining properties at 55 Albert and 49 Albert Street. Owner of 55 Albert objects to this DA proposal to increase maximum to 10.55metres and requests council to retain the maximum of 9.5 metres allowance in the Marrickville Local Environmental Plan 2011.

4. Floor Space
The proposed development has a total gross floor area (GFA) of 895.45m2 which equates to a floor space ratio (FSR) of 0.98:1 on the site. The maximum FSR permitted on the site is 0.9:1.
a) Owner of 55 Albert rejects the extension of the floor space ratio and disagrees with DA claim that it is meritorious and requests that council retain the maximum FSR of 0.9.1.
b) Owner of 55 Albert rejects any new amenity impacts as a result of proposed density and bulk. The quality of life enjoyed by Petersham residents currently should be of great concern to Inner West Council. Modern developments need to be considerate of existing lifestyles and not entirely driven by economic reward.

5. Privacy
The subject application proposes for windows on the northern and southern elevation, with levels 1 & 2 providing highlight windows for bedrooms and bathrooms which are low-use rooms. The potential windows that may affect the visual privacy of the adjoining neighbours are located on the ground floor for a living room, bathroom and kitchen. A low sill height provided for the kitchen window and a small sized 1.8 metre sill height provided for the bathroom window will reduce overlooking into the adjoining properties.
a) The long term owner of 55 Albert has had total privacy from neighbours since purchasing the property in late 1999. Any cross viewing or overlooking into the windows or rear yard of 55 Albert Street is totally unacceptable. This would cause unnecessary psychological distress and devalue the property at 55 Albert over the long term.
6. Fencing
a) The DA fails to provide detail for to the north eastern fence following removal of existing garage at the rear north eastern corner of the property.
b) It also fails to provide detail for the northern boundary removal of existing northern brick fencing to the front of the property as per concept drawings.
c) The current height of the existing fencing is inadequate to provide complete privacy from the proposed development.
d) Request detailed inclusion and mitigation of the above points in the proposed DA.

7. GEO Report
The proposed excavation of 3.8m is extensive and of great concern to the owner of 55 Albert St. Of particular note:
a) Protection of 10x3.2m garage slab located on the northern rear border fenceline next to existing garage on 51 Albert. There is approximately 400-700cm drop to 51 Albert. Owner requests detailed plan for protection of slab during excavation in DA.
b) Vibration – Serious concerns for protection of 1891 sandstone foundations of dwelling on 55 Albert Street. Owner requests consideration to the protection of these building foundations.
c) Fencing subsidence – DA does not address northern boundary retaining wall. DA to provide details for fence and retaining wall to stop subsidence.

8. Set Backs
Side Boundary Setbacks On all levels, the development observes a 1 metre setback to both the northern and southern side boundaries.
a) The proposed set back will create darkness and loss of light in kitchen, bathroom and back living room of 55 Albert Street. It will also cause acoustic noise issues from pedestrian access outside bedrooms facing southern border next to 53b and 51a.
b) Request council discretion to extend set back to 1.5-2m.

Thank you for your consideration of my submission. I look forward to a reasonable response and I am available for discussion to assist the progress of the DA and to achieve a favourable outcome for all concerned.

Yours sincerely,
Neil Lightfoot