Bitter pill for pharmacy applicant    

But the proposal could hit a roadblock if councillors agree with staff recommendations to charge the pharmacy $81,466.47 in developer contributions to cover a 6.23 space parking shortfall.

Despite recent changes to council’s parking contributions policy, the pharmacy has to pay for the parking shortage because the new shop will take over the 152 square metre centre walkway and convert it into retail space, according to a report from development assessments team leader Paul Johnston.

The applicant has threatened to abandon the venture if forced to pay the fees, which are more than half the amount they propose to spend on the $156,750 development.

“The imposition of a condition requiring further monetary contribution to be paid would be unreasonable as other applicants in the Orange CBD have been given exemptions to car parking contributions,” the applicant told council staff.

The applicant argues that the 152 square metres will still act as a pedestrian thoroughfare even though it will be part of the chemist’s which they say will have less demand on public parking than the 11 individual shops making up the arcade serviced by an “oversupply” of 300 car parking spaces in the central business district.

“The infill of the arcade corridor will not place greater demand upon the need for on site car parking as the chemist shop will primarily be used by persons attending the CBD for other business purposes,” the applicant told the council.

But Mr Johnston said the proposed development will alter the nature of the thoroughfare and the parking calculations were in line with council’s development control plan (DCP).

He said the walkway was not included in the calculation of floor space used by council staff when determining an earlier DA for the building in December 1986 when developers paid $25,965 in parking contributions.

Councillors will vote on the development application at tonight’s sustainable development committee meeting.

clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au