A plan to convert the former Eighteen 70 restaurant site into two houses has been recommended despite three public submissions opposing it.
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Orange City Council will consider a development application for the property on the corner of March and Hill streets on Tuesday night.
A staff report has recommended the changes be approved for the heritage-listed building.
Under the plans the site would be subdivided into two lots with a new house built facing Hill Street in a $1.2 million development.
Impacts of the development will be within acceptable limits
- Report to Orange council
The work will involve part demolition, internal alterations and a pavilion added fronting March Street.
In Hill Street the new house would have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a basement level double garage.
"Council staff together have assessed the proposal and consider that the development is acceptable subject to the inclusion of additional minor design features," the staff report said.
"The applicant is amenable to the design features. The garage and house additions that front March Street are similar in design to other houses in the area, as is the proposed cottage fronting Hill Street.
"Three public submissions were received objecting to the DA. The issues raised in the submissions generally relate to the suitability of the building design and detailing.
"Impacts of the development will be within acceptable limits, subject to mitigation conditions being adopted."
The letters of objection argued that the proposed two lots were too small and out of character for the area.
"The areas for gardens and recreation are too small and cannot be justified to be consistent with what is expected for living expectations for contemporary families," all three submissions said.
However, the council report said there were no minimum size requirements for the area and similar-sized lots existed nearby.
All three 'strongly objected' to the plans for a garage on the property.
"It is not consistent with the streetscape of this heritage area and looks too like an open garage from the street and unlike other properties in the area [where] the garages are either out of sight or placed in inconspicuous areas."
However the council report said a modern garage door existed on a neighbouring property.
They also opposed the style of roof on the pavilion and the staff report has supported changing it to a hip roof.
The building was constructed in 1870 as the Welcome Inn, a stopping place for Cobb and Co coaches.
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