One was praised, one is to be refused. There were contrasting results for the developers of two child care centres planned for Orange this week.
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Separate development applications for the centres went to Orange City Council on Tuesday night.
A proposal for 64 Valencia Drive won the praise of councillors for the size, amenity, space and resident and council consultation from the applicant.
But, despite a staff report recommending its approval, an amended proposal for 4 Kearneys Drive was rejected.
It's just not the right place for a child care centre
- Cr Jason Hamling
Councillors have asked staff to return a report with reasons for refusing it. They cited traffic, amenity, noise, safety and the suitability of the site as reasons why they could not approve it.
Council has approved a $1.048 million plan for a 98-place centre for 0-5 year olds on Valencia Drive.
It will operate from 6.30am-6.30pm Monday-Friday.
The work will involve the demolition of a circa 1990 brick house, garage, in-ground swimming pool, fence and two trees.
Cr Tony Mileto congratulated the applicants on the DA saying there were no outstanding issues.
However it was a different story for a 52-place centre in Kearneys Drive.
Cr Mileto proposed imposing traffic conditions including banning users from parking on the street and a vortex mirror and other measures at the nearby Margaret Street intersection at the developers' cost to reduce traffic issues.
However, other councillors said it should be refused.
Cr Glenn Taylor said it was common practice at other child centres for parents to pull up outside and quickly drop their children off.
"The corner of Kearneys Drive and Margaret Street is an extremely dangerous blind corner [and] will continue to be so," he said.
Cr Scott Munro said he was concerned about parking issues in a narrow street.
Cr Jason Hamling said he was concerned the development would create an 'absolute dogs' breakfast' with traffic. "It's just not the right place for a child care centre," he said.
Cr Kevin Duffy said it was "the wrong development in the wrong spot."
However Cr Stephen Nugent and Cr Joanne McRae said it was a compliant development.
"Yes it's going to change the nature of that area, that street, but in a growing city developments do that," Cr Nugent said.
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