Mod 3 - Further Design Changes

MODIFICATION REQUEST FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY ABERCROMBIE PRECINCT REDEVELOPMENT

APPLICATION No MP07_0158 MOD 3;
I HEREBY OBJECT TO THIS PROPOSAL.

I have been a resident at the address given on this submission for over 28 years and it is a pity that the University has taken such a dishonest and inconsiderate attitude to the proposals submitted for this development.

It is disgusting that the photo I have seen of the proposed University Student Accommodation could be presented in such a dishonest manner as to make 5 storey building appear to be same height as the Darlington School building (to the left of the Accommodation Structure) - the school is only 2 storeys high.

This is a deliberate misrepresentation and how could this be allowed to happen - it is blatantly dishonest.. When will we see an accurate depiction of the actual height comparison?

I also believe the building should be set back from Abercrombie St and be in line with Mandelbaum House.......this I think would be a more aesthetic appearance for our community. Why has the designer not taken this matter into account - I would have thought that an institution like University of Sydney would have this matter as a part of their curriculum!

As I live opposite this is a monstrosity. With the other buildings on this street being not higher than 3 storeys high, I propose that the building not be 5 storeys high but that it must be scaled back to accommodate the fewer number of students that was originally proposed - thus being only 3 storeys high also.

As well,, I'd like to see a greater effort of the University's parts in preserving the heritage streetscape of Abercrombie St by the planting of extensive vegetation and trees at the front of the building.....is this an unreasonable request on our behalf???

It is also vital that there be an on-site manage 24 hours a day in order that there be immediate attention given to any issues that should arise.

This has not been a smooth process as we value the appearance of our heritage streetscape and hereby request that immediate attention be given to our requests and would like to be fully informed of what action will be taken to ensure that the developments proposed be present to us as a community with honest depictions of perspectives and proportions of all aspects in future.

I would expect that a student of Sydney University would fail in any assignment or examination if the presented such an unrepresentative depiction of a building proposal was submitted for evaluation (at least I believe that that is what should happen) but so-called professionals can present such a proposal and expect they will be given full community approval. Quite a poor example for our professionals of the future.

Please respect our concerns with what is happening to our streetscape and respect that is is for the preservation of our area and not just an over development (somewhat dishonest) to the appearance and capacity our community.

I doubt very much is the parties concerned would allow such things to happen in the streets where they live.

Brian Pollard

I object to proposal MP07_0158 MOD 3 because:

The proposed building is too bulky for the residential neighbourhood it is located in and will dwarf all other buildings adjacent and opposite on the street.

It is significantly and inappropriately higher than the adjacent Darlington Public School and Mandelbaum House. It should be no higher than either building.

The setback from the road is insufficient: the proposed building's relationship to the street does not reflect or respect the existing residential pattern of 2-4 metre deep leafy front gardens.

I'd also like it noted that as with previous submissions by the University for new buildings in the Abercrombie Precinct, the 3D rendering is inaccurately scaled and wilfully misleading, suggesting that the building is barely higher than the adjacent school. Once again I am left feeling mistrustful of the University's intentions because it is not being honest in representing its plans.

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While I support the removal of access from Abercrombie St to the rear of the site, I do not support the following:
- The proposed student accommodation building should not be more than 3 stories. The five stories proposed significantly overshadows Darlington public school and the terraces opposite. Note the terraces are part of the Golden Grove Conservation area and the University development will have a negative impact on preserving the historical integrity of the area as it currently is proposed.
-The front of the building should be set back from the street to be in line with Mandelbaum House.
- Street trees should be planted in line with the City of Sydney street trees policy to provide consistency with other streets in the area.

I generally support the progress that the University has made through it's site renewal plan. However where development impacts directly on local residents and services, the University needs to be more sensitive in it's role as part of the Darlington community.

*The building should be set back approximately 2 metres to align with Mandelbaum House along its Abercrombie Street frontage as shown on original documents presented to the community.

*Trees should be planted within the 2 metre setback along the front to assist in visually screening the proposed new buildings to allow for greater privacy and overall increased amenity for the residents.

*The building should be reduced in height and scale so that it is consistent in height with Mandelbaum House and conforms to the established 2-3 storey characteristic height of buildings along Abercrombie Street.

*The building should accommodate no more than 188 students as previously approved and preferably less than 188.

*A permanent caretaker should manage the operations and student behaviour 24/7.

8 November 2013

From:
David Laws and Ray Ziesing
322 Abercrombie St
Darlington
NSW 2008
Ph 93197819

To: Development Assessment Systems & Approvals,
Department of Planning & Infrastructure,
GPO Box 39,
Sydney, NSW, 2001.



Dear Sir/Madam

Modification Request for the University of Sydney Abercrombie Precinct Redevelopment: Application Number: MP07_0158 MOD 3

I am a resident of Darlington and I am writing to you to make the following objections in relation to the above development modification request by the University of Sydney. The modifications would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents.

* The front of the Student Accommodation building should be built 2 metres back from the Abercrombie Street boundary. It should be set back from this boundary so that it is in line with Mandelbaum House as it was originally planned and presented to the community. The footprint of the buildings currently on the site, The Shepherd Centre and Boundary Lane Children's Centre, is approximately 2 metres back from the Abercrombie Street boundary and aligns with Mandelbaum House. Therefore, the front footprint of the proposed Student Accommodation building should be the same as those buildings currently occupying the site and as originally planned. The footprint of the proposed Student Accommodation building should not extend to the Abercrombie Street boundary.

* The facade of the proposed Student Accommodation building does not reflect the heritage appearance of the Victorian terraces opposite on Abercrombie Street as Mandelbaum House does. Therefore, it should be set back to allow for extensive vegetation and trees to be planted in front of the building on Abercrombie Street to help preserve the heritage streetscape and improve both the aesthetics and the environment of the street.

* The building should not accommodate more students than was originally approved: it should be scaled back to accommodate fewer.

* There should be an onsite manager 24 hours a day to ensure that any issues are addressed promptly.



Sincerely yours
David Laws and Ray Ziesing

Development Assessment Systems & Approvals
Department of Planning & Infrastructure
Attn. Peter Mc Manus

Re. Modification Request for the University of Sydney
Abercrombie Precinct Redevelopment
Application No. MP07_0158MOD 3

Dear Sir,
I am writing to object to the current modifications to the Student Accommodation building in Abercrombie Street, Darlington.

My main objections to the proposal and the modifications are based on the design and size of the student accommodation buildings proposed. The design is not sympathetic to the surrounding two storey Victorian terraces or the brick façade of Mandelbaum house. The proposed buildings are largely made up of glass and concrete, which appear commercial and hard edged and out of character with the heritage buildings opposite. The hard construction materials proposed will also amplify noise from traffic and elsewhere.

The scale of the student accommodation building will dominate the streetscape. The large glass windows facing Abercrombie St will lead to a loss of privacy for surrounding residents and are not of a scale and size in keeping with residential developments. The size of the windows will also throw off additional light at night, which will impact on nearby residents, as many of these glass areas are common areas. This problem and potential noise from the accommodation building will be further compounded by the lack of setbacks and any landscaping to screen the building or buffer any sounds.

The design of the roofline does little to disguise the upper floors of the development, whereas Mandelbaum House has stepped back the higher floors to lessen the bulk and mass visible on Abercrombie St. This current proposal does not provide adequate screening to lessen its visual impact and large scale on Abercrombie St and this needs to be addressed.

The increase in accommodation size (from 180 to 200) has been to the detriment of open space and setbacks for the development. There is very little consideration for softening the hard lines of the design with trees and greenery or adding any open space. The front and sides of the building in particular should include space for landscaping with tall native trees, or a green wall to improve the aesthetics and insulation of the building and the surrounding environment. The number of students to be housed should not be increased as it will place further pressure for on-street parking and result in a loss of amenity to the area.

I hope you will consider these objections when making your decision.

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please see attached submission on behalf of Mandelbaum House