PROPONENTS of a major mixed commercial and residential development on the foreshore at Tea Gardens have slightly amended the original plans following public comment.
The proposal is for two 13 metre high, four storey buildings with frontage to Marine Drive and Myall Street.
The building on Marine Drive will incorporate the historic Universal Store, which is the only "modern" brick retail building remaining in Tea Gardens.
In amended plans submitted to Great Lakes Council, the number of dwellings has been reduced from 37 to 36 and the height of the buildings on the south-eastern boundary from four storeys to two storeys.
The set back to the Marine Drive frontage has been increased.
The council's heritage adviser, Garry Smith, said in a report in March that the proposed conservation and restoration had the potential to be visually appealing and meet a suitable standard of heritage conservation.
However, he remained concerned that the size and design when viewed from Marine Drive was very large and would dominate the streetscape, irrespective of heritage considerations.
The sheer bulk of the continuous run north wall would be dominant because the architect wanted to maximise the north facing aspect and the views.
Mr Smith said he also had concerns that the projecting "grandstand" roof over the second floor balconies will dominate the Universal Store.
Council staff have indicated that the proposed garbage storage area will need to be enlarged to cater for the number of bins required.
The council's traffic committee and development engineers are discussing the proponent's proposal that a loading zone be established in Myall Street and that garbage bins be emptied within the road reserve.
Mrs Dawn Engel, who is connected with the family that built the store, said she shared Mr Smith's concerns regarding the size and design of the proposal, saying she was very dissapointed with the plans that were previously on display.
"Overdevelopment of this site is a major concern both visually and physically for its surrounding area and I can only encourage the council and the developer to listen to the community's response to the amended plans," she said.
Mrs Engel has led the local community's fight to save the Universal Store because of its heritage value.
In an earlier report to the council, Mr Smith said that the Universal Store, built early last century, was the last significant structure to represent the historical aspect of Tea Gardens Village and had a long association with the prominent Engel family.
The store showed a past way of trading through large, multifaceted shops supplying a range of goods.
Changing demographic patterns, land use and transport methods had caused these "universal providers" to close or be converted to other businesses.
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