The planned village centre at Kinvara, west of Lennox Head, would move to flatter land and allow taller shop-top housing under planning changes now open for public comment.
Ballina Shire Council is exhibiting a proposal to relocate the commercial zone within Cumbalum Urban Release Area B and increase its building height limit from 8.5 metres to 11 metres.
The new height would accommodate two residential storeys above ground-floor commercial premises.
The proposal affects land at Dufficys Lane and Ross Lane, approximately 5.5 kilometres west of Lennox Head.
About 2.38 hectares currently zoned for medium-density housing would become the local centre, while approximately 2.97 hectares earmarked for commercial development would become residential land.
The NSW Planning Department’s assessment says the relocation would ‘facilitate walkability, accessibility, and integration with surrounding neighbourhoods’.
The existing commercial site has an 11 per cent slope, while the proposed location is flatter and more central to surrounding residential areas.
A draft planning agreement between Council and Lennox Head Development Corporation would link the delivery of a minimum amount of retail floor space with housing development.
Council says this is intended to ensure shops are established early enough to serve residents and form an economically viable centre.
The changes would amend planning controls rather than grant development consent for particular buildings.
The departmental assessment says the areas proposed for rezoning are not flood prone, although other parts of the properties are affected by flooding.
Public exhibition opened yesterday, November 4. Submissions close on Wednesday, December 2, through Your Say Ballina.
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