Paul Bibby
Plans for a mixed use development at the southern end of Jonson Street, Byron Bay have been reintroduced by the developer 10 months after being summarily rejected by the Joint Regional Planning Panel.
Developer Graham Dunn has reduced the proposed building at 139 Jonson Street from four storeys to three in a bid to gain approval for his plans, which were originally lodged with Byron Council back in September 2017.
The draft plan is now open for public viewing on the projects website.
The original incarnation of the plan drew strong opposition from residents, who argued that it represented a significant overdevelopment of the site and one which, if approved, would set a dangerous precedent for the rest of Jonson Street and Byron Bay more broadly.
Mr Dunn said he and the others working on the project had spent the past nine months addressing the issue of the fourth storey and other elements of the design.
‘I believe we have now resolved the issues raised and so we are ready to share our new draft plans,’ Mr Dunn said.
Mr Dunn said the other major change to the proposal was the loss of short-term accommodation, with 34 permanent residential homes replacing a mix of permanent and serviced apartments that would have allowed for some holiday letting.
Under the new plan, the 34 permanent homes would be located on the two upper levels, while the ground level would be home to a cafe or restaurant as well as commercial and retail operations.
Two basement carparks would provide parking for 125 cars, including six accessible spaces and two with electric car charging stations.
‘At the core of the design is and alternative planting modes,’ said project architect Jade Myers.
‘Vine walls, podium planters, three storey green walls, deep soil and streetscape planting all with native and endemic species.’
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