Some Tips on making a successful Town Planning Application 1. My definition of a successful application is one that obtains a permit in a timely manner, achieves a design outcome that suits the proponent that is not overtly adversarial towards the Planning Scheme, is cost effective to build and appeals to the market it is targeted. 2. The cheapest TP app will cost you a lot more in the long run. Cheap permits = expensive builds + poor outcomes + unhappy council officers, objectors + proponents. I could write a book on why, if you would like to know just email me. 3. Always use a consulting town planner to advise on setbacks, footprint and neighbourhood character, the same one should write the planning response. Never ever wing it with a designer writing a response unless the development is a low scale insignificant proposal. Town Planning and Designing are very different disciplines. 4. Remember you are in control, you are paying the bills, the consultants work for you, if you are not sure what you are doing, find out really quick, or use a project manager. A small mistake, or accepting say, the designers advice over the town planners could cost you a bomb and vice versa. You need to be able to balance advice against the scheme and build costs 5. Understand your planning scheme and building controls, ie Rescode 6. Use consultants or a Project Manager that know your area and understand the paradigms of statutory planning. 7. Being a Proponent of a Planning App is like being a Judge hearing a case, you need to hear all of the evidence from the Defence (your consultants) and that of the Prosecution (council and objectors) then balance the design outcome in the app that on the balance of probabilities will give you the best chance of achieving a permit in the real court : Council and or VCAT. 8. A well planned app will identify opportunities and constraints as well as contingencies in design that will allow for change throughout the process to allow for planning dept challenges. 9. If the process feels like its a big drama, you have not prepared well enough, ask for help immediately, have an experienced Proponent second guess what you have done, its rarely too late to save the app. 10. If you feel your planning app may enter an adversarial environment, consult your ward councillor and involve them from the start. In most municipalities the elected officials will sit in judgement of your app where there are objections. If the objectors are serious they will be lobbying council, you must build the relationship first and get some ownership from the council. 10. Last word.....if your app is going to be controversial, avoid an election year. Whats more important to a Politician : votes or you? There is only one of you! takle.au
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 07:29:41 +0000
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