Happy New Year

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie


Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey



Anonymous    A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other
 
 
Sydney Smitt:   Resolve to make at least one person happy every day, and then in ten years you may have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment.

Have a good one Mario

Busy Time at VCAT over Dual Occs.

Below is an e mail from Vari Perez but formatted by me.

Hi Mario

I would like to confirm the following which you can submit on your blog:-

I have lodge an application myself to VCAT appealing the decision of Council to refuse one of my applciations

Guy Walker and Others submitted 4 Applications to VCAT against the Decision of Council to Approve these applciations

Linda Vos and Others submitted 2 Applciations to VCAT against the Decision of Council to Approve these applciations.

So all 7 applications for Dual Occupancies within Coldstream will be going to VCAT.

The first Hearing,being the one I lodged with VCAT will be heard in March....the other still waiting for a hearing date to be allocated.

Vari Perez

MAP Building Consultant Services

Response To Rosie Wood

You can post this on your blog....

In response to Rosie Woods comments ...

We would like to state once again that there are various covenants throughout the estate of Coldstream and a few sites without covenants at all.

The Coldstream Estate was originally set up by a few companies who owned various sections of the Estate, hence why there are various covenants governing the sites throughout the estate. As previously advised more than half the estate is covenanted by "Single Dwellings" another section of the Estate is covenanted by "Residential Purpose", with a small amount of sites remaining with no covenants.

These original covenants have not been changed since they were set up in about 1975, except for a couple of the sites, who have had an additional allowance for Childminding" to be added in 1994.

It can not be assumed that the whole estate was to be governed by a "single dwellings" covenants nor even considered an "error" when different companies/persons created this estate and clearly worded the covenants quite differently.

To state "I would make an educated guess in saying that some of the plans of subdivision without covenants should have had a covenant" is not an eductaed guess Rosie...................It's an assumption.

You also make comment that "people bought into this estate with a "single dwelling" policy in the planning, whether they have a single dwelling covenant on their property or not. When we all purchased in this estate on that basis, why should a few of you now be able to change the rules"

Firstly let me state.....When purchasing a property, isn't it normal to check out the title and see what is or isn't actually attached to a title..such as a covenant...rather than just assume or even take the word of the Agent...Is it not the responsibility of the Purchaser?

Secondly....isn't it also the right of a person to do with their land what they are legally entitled to do? This is not changing rules, merely exercising their legal right.

This now brings me to your comments about myself.

Yes I am an independent Planning & Building Consultant enaged by the various Owners of these properties to submit applciations on their behalf for these dual occupancies...all of which by the way, have the Covenant "Residential Purpose" so it is their legal right to apply for these dual occupancies.

As you are aware, my interest in this applciation is that I have been engaged to do a job, and this is my only interest in these applications. I submit applications on behalf of my clients wishes...This is my job.. after all I am a Planning & Building Consutlant....but you already know this Rosie.............as if you recall........I came to visit you under a similar situation when you were thinking of doing a development at your parents place.

As for your comment "with the size of our blocks and an opportunity to potentialy build 3 or 4 units/townhouses, it would make commercial sense to demolish".

Clearly you do not understand the Planning regulations and what is and isn't allowed in various areas or what developers even look for.

For a developer to develope a site, it has to be viable and in accordance with the requiremens of that particular area....

Coldstream is not in a high density area, unlike parts of Lilydale, Chrinside Park etc etc.and the size of the lots within Coldstream areas without the restrictive covenant of Single Dwelling.are simply not large enough as they are generally in the vicinity of about 800 to 900 sq.m (although there may be the odd site that is larger)....so it is not a "wateredowned down statement", when it is based on the State and Local Planning Policy Framework as it exists at this present time.

My statements are based on my expertise, experience and the fact that I have been doing this job for over well 23 years now....it has nothing to do with how I perceive any residents in any areas of the projects I undertake on behalf of my clients

Vari Perez

Planning & Building Consultant





PS...Mario...don't seem to be able to respond via comments...so you have my permission to do so..via this way rather than put in in the main contents part of your blog.

--



MAP Building Consultant Services

P.O. Box 534, Healesville Vic 3777

Ph:- (03) 59621446

Fax:-(03)59621435

Mobile:-0419288551

Email: consultancy@mapbuild.com.au

Web: www.mapbuild.com.au

Vari: Sorry I had to post it on the main page as it was too long for a response, Mario

Rumour

Below is an extract from the Lilydale Leader:22/12/2009

While they were devastated by Yarra Ranges Council’s recent approval of six dual-occupancy developments, members of the Coldstream community action group have confirmed they won’t appeal the decision.

Action group spokesman Guy Williams said the group understood that Coldstream would have to change.

‘‘We will have to cop it on the chin, there’s no use crying over spilt milk so to speak,’’ Mr Williams said.

I have heard on the grapevine that this is not true.  It appears that VCAT is involved with these developments but I am unable to confirm who initiated the action.
 
If anyone knows more, how about sharing the info?
 
 

 

Cr Terry Avery Supports Dual Occs in Coldstream A RESPONSE

Wouldn't it be nice if proper planning had been made to allow for diversity in Coldstream. Leaving the section west of the highway open for residential development, and commercial development on the Highway, for instance. Now that would have been SENSIBLE !!!



Councillor Avery was on the Shire Council when that little mess of the Green Wedge was done by the State Government. I wonder if he had any input and what it may have been to that topic?


Rosie Wood


Resident


Fed up with a minority taking advantage of the Coldstream Community.


COMMENT:
We finally agree!

When the UGB was being discussed I suggested things like that but to no avail.

Since then Coldstream HAS changed.  In my opinion the POST OFFICE should now be considered as the centre of an expanding Coldstream not the Gateway defacto shopping strip.