Construction of 7 Storey “Vera Apartments” Approved for Crawford Street
Developers last week received conditional approval from Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council for the construction of “Vera Apartments”, a seven storey shop top housing development on the corner of Crawford streets and Fallick Lane.
At the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council meeting on June 14th nine councillors voted in favour of the application and the motion was carried for; “Development application DA.2022.1002 for demolition, ground level commercial premises tenancies and construction of a seven storey shop top housing development (58 units) and strata subdivision at 202-214 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan be granted conditional consent”.
The proposed site was previously home to The Queanbeyan Age office and their printing facilities. Adjacent to Bell’s Dry Cleaners was also a myriad of businesses over the years including Trilogy Skateboards.
The development proposal includes demolition of the existing structures and construction of a seven storey shop top housing development. Including 513m2 of ground floor retail, 40 residential units, two levels of basement parking containing 84 spaces as well as six above ground parking spaces.
The proposed Vera Apartments would also have eight retail tenancies at ground level, with a separate residential lobby and strata subdivisions.
Feedback was sought from the community about the development at the site and while neighbouring businesses expressed written concern about the logistics of the build, they were overall supportive of the project.
The building complex will house a total of 58 apartments comprising 11 one-bedroom units, 35 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units. Each unit would also have a balcony, directly accessible from living areas. A landscaped communal open space with an area of 752.4m2 at Level 7 would also be included.
Two levels of basement car parking with vehicle access provided from Fallick Lane are also included in the plans. This would include 96 residential car spaces, 6 adaptable(disabled)spaces, 9 visitor spaces, 12 retail spaces, 1 loading dock and 8 motorcycle spaces.
The Development Application also stated that; “Council’s Heritage Advisor has offered no objection to the proposal subject to the imposition of the recommended conditions of consent”.
Council’s Heritage Advisor, Duncan Marshall has noted; “ the Wright Building at 2020 Crawford Street is of relevance to the assessment. The impacts to this heritage item have been mitigated by the provision of a private lane adjacent to the Wright Building; the two storey Crawford Street elevation; the setback of the proposed tower component; the use of a central recess for the tower to reduce its monolithic appearance; and the articulated elevation and subdued colours. The visual impacts resulting from the proposal are considered to be acceptable”.
The site at 204-214 Crawford Street from Fallick Lane looking south-west.
The site and existing dry cleaners at 202 Crawford Street looking south-east.
For more information you can find the Council Meeting Attachment with detailed plans here.
About the Author: Holly Winchester
Part Jennifer Coolidge, part Jennifer Garner (gaudy and geeky), Holly idolises Dolly Parton and Princess Di and loves NRL. When she's not creating killer content, you’ll find Holly at the Maccas drive thru getting her chai latte fix or buying 1990s memorabilia for the walls of her Googong home. Specialist subject: the Woolies carpark.
