Dodd’s Hotel in Cooma, date unknown. Photo: Wikimedia.
A regional council has unanimously approved a proposal for a mixed-use development with 60 apartments and businesses.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) gave the development application (DA) approval during a recent meeting.
It will see a mixed-use development for Commissioner Street in Cooma, featuring a combination of residential apartments, a hotel and several businesses across five stories.
Councillor Lynda Summers said the area was a site where further development could occur.
“It’s ambitious and we don’t know whether it will happen, but it’s good to see that developers are considering what can be done in that land [the CBD], and I think the design and the DA conditions address any concerns that might be raised.”
Across the 60 residential apartments, the plans include 10 studio spaces, 43 one-bedroom units, five two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units.
A gym, laundromat, cafe and motel (including a bar and lobby space) were also proposed.
There would also be 126 parking spaces and a basement area for storage.
It’s all been planned for the site of Dodd’s Hotel. Council documents note that the hotel has been derelict since 2017, with a DA for its demolition being approved in 2021.
“The building currently occupies the front half of the site with a large portion to the rear being used as informal access through the site [for] the public,” the documents state.
“There is [no] right of way carriageway on title for access through the site with sewage and drainage restrictions being the only identified easements on title.”
The documents also state that while there is a “shortfall” of 44 car parking spaces against planning standards, people are expected to be able to use nearby public carparks.
“In addition to the on-site parking, hotel guests and short-term users can be accommodated within the designated spaces, with further support available from the public carpark located directly opposite the site.
“Given the varying operating hours of the site and the availability of adequate public parking in the surrounding area to support the commercial uses, council considers that the provided parking is sufficient to meet the full residential and visitor parking needs.”
The proposal also included an exception to height guidelines, with the development to reach 17.1 metres at its highest point (the maximum is 15 metres).
“The proposal appears to only encroach on the 15m requirement at the front of the proposed building where the site and natural ground level is at its lowest. … [As such,] it is expected that the encroachment to the height restriction is not likely to impact on the amenity, visual bulk or access to views and solar.”
The developer also put forward plans to use materials and landscaping similar to those of nearby properties.
“The proposal compliments the existing and heritage character by using similar form and features as the surrounding buildings,” council documents state.
