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TONIGHT will be the final chance for councillors to decide on the fate of Moss Vale Station Master's Cottage.
The matter will go before council again after more than a year of deliberation between council, the Heritage Council and the property owner.
Property owner Chris Lepherd is hopeful of an approval.
"I have basically adopted everything council and the Heritage Council have suggested," he said.
"I'm excited about the prospects for the site, but the period of consultation has been exhaustive."
During the consultation, the proposal has been refined to comply with requests to create an aesthetically pleasing development which is both economically feasible and practical.
"We have reduced the floor area of the new building, provisioned for the restoration of the station master's residence and agreed to the Heritage Council's requirements of having no car-parking onsite and a significant amount of landscaping around the existing building," Mr Lepherd said.
"As a condition of the development of the new building, and in accordance with the Heritage Council, about $80,000 is to be allocated to restoring the Station Master's Cottage."
Under the Heritage Council's request, Mr Lepherd has made a clear distinction between the new proposed building and the cottage.
One of the major issues for councillors was the provision of onsite car-parking spaces which have been knocked back by the Heritage Council several times. Councillor Ian Scandrett proposed an underground car park be considered.
"It would never work financially," Mr Lepherd said.
Another issue, raised by Councillor Holly Campbell, was the development's suitability to the Moss Vale streetscape.
"What we are producing is exactly the same as what is already on Argyle Street and we are doing that on purpose," Mr Lepherd said.
"The development will provide affordable housing to the central Moss Vale area and bring further commercial benefits from two new retailers to the area."
The matter will be addressed tonight and council recommended the restoration works be accepted in lieu of provision of carparking onsite and an acceptance of the submitted amended plans.
