A proposed $6 million public housing development in Yarralumla is described as a missing middle development that will increase the density on the current site to 30 units.
The site at 2 Schlich Street (Block 3 Section 59) is currently home to Solander Court, a “dated” unused public housing development with a GFA of 1500 square metres.
That will double to 3000 sqm in the two-storey, three-building development with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units with courtyards.
The DA says there will be 18 one-bedroom units, four of which will be accessible, 10 two-bedroom terraces and two three-bedroom units.
It says the proposal directly addresses the ACT Government’s housing goals and is an improvement on the existing social housing stock, which no longer meets the requirements of the Growing and Renewing Public Housing program.
“The housing typology proposed supports a need for the missing middle housing category, offering generously proportioned townhouse dwellings that maintain harmony between built form and existing mature trees,” it says.
The DA says that while the site contains a higher density when compared with the rest of the suburb, the site coverage is similar to other nearby developments, will not overshadow nearby blocks and has 6-metre setbacks along all frontages.
All but two units will get more than three hours of direct sunlight during the winter solstice, but these will have greater open space areas and face directly onto landscaped spaces.
The DA suggests that these two units will suit tenants with sensitivities to light.
The development has also been designed with a strong emphasis on universal design principles.
Six onsite trees will be retained, as will the existing verge trees.
The buildings will be set around communal open space and there will be several landscaped areas for residents.
The development will include two multi-space carports and one building will have a basement with parking spaces and bicycle storage, with access at the rear.
Each unit will have at least one parking space, with a total of 37 car parks for residents, including four accessible spaces and eight visitor spaces, including one accessible. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be included.
The development will connect to Yarralumla’s path network and will not be far from the shops.
Comment on the DA is open until 30 September.