Excerpts from a personal email to Greg Woodhams and Councillors

Thanks Greg,

I have written my formal submissions but while we are in correspondence I would like to emphasize once more the urgency to investigate George Place as an alternative to rezoning the Sailor and Soldier Streets, which are 2 significant precincts of Artarmon's character.

- Residents appreciate the need to increase density and virtually all were in favour of rezoning George place to R4 with mixed use so employment is unaffected. Despite the State Government's non sensical attitude towards maintaining light industrial areas, surely you are able to illustrate the advantages of rezoning this area and that employment will not be affected through mixed use.

- There is more incentive for developers here than in the Sailor and Soldier Streets. (No residents and higher densities. You are already aware no one is going to sell in the sailor and soldier streets so it is not even a worthwhile exercise).

- From an Architect's perspective this George Place appears to have the characteristics already in place for development such as the coulder sac street to access different developments off without affecting surrounding streets with new driveways etc. Our practice recently completed an apartment in a similar site (Sturt Place St Ives). It is also close enough to Artarmon station to increase density.

-So geographical, physically and politically it is a more advantageous proposition for Council to rezone. Please consider this in ernest.

Other suggestions that could be considered in earnest;

James Street, Jenkins Street and Edgar Street Chatswood to R4
Have you looked at rezoning the above mention streets off Fullers Road, behind the car dealerships. I have attached a mark up of the zoning map to indicate this.

- It is closer to Chatswood Station, it is NOT A CONSERVATION AREA, has close access to Pacific Highway and fullers road. R4 already adjacent to it. Surely this also presents a more viable option.

- The topography may set height limits but this is something to be exploered further in a DCP for this precinct

- overall this is a far better locality in terms retail and transport amenities than the Sailor and Soldier Streets, and already has far more precedence for high density rezoning than do existing conservation areas. Why Have these areas not been considered??

Nelson Street Chatswood off Orchard Road
Not as viable but the blocks between Gilliam and Nelson Street could be considered. The boundary lines of the conservation zone ere cut off at 1 3 and 5 Nelson and there is also vacant land. It does not make sense that this parcel of land is considered more conservation worthy than the Sailor Streets (Raleigh St). This block is closer to Chatswood shops.

To all councillors,

Please consider these and any other options put forward by residents. We realise the need to increase density; we realize the process is far more complicated than just suggesting alternatives, but that is why you must seriously consider suspending the draft LEP whilst further options are investigated in ernest. If residents are making a serious attempt to suggest alternatives then it is only fair that you make a serious attempt convincing the State Government and not be bullied into rash decisions. Surely you are able to convince them of the need to suspend (not reject) the Draft LEP for more serious consideration.

Thanks

Brett