The Sunshine Coast community is being invited to have its say about a proposed 18-storey coastal tower, which would rise almost 23m above the building height limit.
Habitat Development Group is seeking approval from the Sunshine Coast Council for the 62.97m 180-apartment Rivienne project at 132 and 134-136 Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore.
The site, which also fronts First Avenue and Fairway Drive, currently houses the Salvation Army and Neighbours Aid op shops and adjoins the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.
Under the current Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, the development should not exceed a maximum height of 40m.
Public submissions opened on July 20 and close on August 10 for the development, which would include a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments, five ground-floor commercial tenancies and 372 car spaces.
The complex would also include communal recreation facilities including a pool, lounge, dining and bar areas, sauna, steam room and plunge pools.
The application was first lodged with Sunshine Coast Council late last year.
Council subsequently issued an information request in February, raising concerns about the proposed height and seeking more detail on potential impacts including views, privacy and overshadowing, as well as the building’s design, access, parking and landscaping.
It said the application had “not sufficiently demonstrated” how the height was consistent with the “reasonable expectations of the community” and asked the developer to provide further evidence supporting the additional 22.97m height.
The council also requested visual and shadow studies comparing the tower with a development that complied with the current 40m limit.
Adams and Sparkes Town Planning submitted the response on behalf of Habitat Development Group on July 15, together with amended architectural plans and supporting reports.
The response argued the public notification process would give residents an opportunity to comment on the proposed height.
The site also has an existing approval for a 12-storey, 45m mixed-use development containing 104 units.
