The August meeting of council considered an application by P Robinson to build a verandah on three sides of the existing building at 25 Wallace Street, Braidwood. The property is owned by G S Marsh and G F Marsh (a former Tallaganda Shire councillor). In a covering letter the applicant explained that she was seeking council approval before proceeding with the purchase of the property.
In his report to council, Manager of Environment and Planning, Alan Bawden explained that there were two principal issues raised by the proposal, heritage impacts and the use of a council road reserve (footpath) for private development.
Referring to heritage impacts, he noted that while the building is not a heritage listed item, it is subject to standards applying to the Braidwood conservation area, which amongst other things requires that the proposed design respect evidence of the buildings original architectural design.
He noted that the council’s Heritage Advisor, Peter Freeman advised that the proposal to build a verandah was reasonable provided that it was built in accordance with original evidence; that is, it should cover only the front of the building (and not return along the two sides) should extend over the full width of the footpath and that the footpath should remain open for public use.
Mr Bawden disagreed. He felt that a commercial awning would diminish the building and not be compatible with the current residential use of the building. Conversely, he argued, the proposed verandah would improve both the building and the streetscape and the return verandahs would provide greater residential use of the building and not impede on the heritage significance of the locality.
Referring to the use of the council road reserve, he noted that the front verandah would encroach 1.7 metres on to the reserve. He added that the two houses to the south of the subject building had already annexed part of the reserve for private use and that those encroachments had negligible impacts on pedestrian movements.
He said the erection of a private structure on public land posed two problems. Firstly, public liability and risk to both the public and users of the structure and secondly the private use of land which is publicly owned.
He felt that the best solution would be to sell the land to the applicant. Council then moved into committee to consider the application.
Cr Hassall said that it was a very good development for that house and for that end of town. He couldn’t agree with the Heritage Advisor [that the proposed verandah was inappropriate].
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