A development application (DA) for a commercial premises, cafe and residential apartments has been refused.
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After a lengthy debate at the April 24 council meeting at Moss Vale Civic Centre, councillors voted to refuse the development, based on several concerns including parking.
The site at 421 to 425 Bong Bong Street is currently occupied by a vacant single storey building built in the 1920s, which was last used for car spare parts. The premises closed about 12 years ago.
The DA was recommended for refusal after it was assessed by council staff.
Mayor Duncan Gair supported the refusal on the basis of impacts to parking availability in Bowral, and said there would potentially be an impact on car spaces in side streets and residential areas.
"I don't want to not support [the DA]. I think it's very much worthy of support," Cr Gair said.
"But I'm not going to forgo and set a precedent that sends a message right across the township of Bowral."
Other councillors were in support of the Bong Bong Street development.
Councillor Ian Scandrett said the parking issue was "top of the pops" in Bowral.
"I applaud this development, it looks good to me and it has a nice mix about it," Cr Scandrett said.
"Let's get on with that councillors. Let's go forward and get some activity in the town."
Cr Grahame Andrews echoed Cr Scandrett's sentiment and said he was also in support of the development.
Cr Ken Halstead suggested councillors deferred the matter however a deferral did not go ahead.
Councillors voted five to four against the DA moving ahead.
The DA proposal included a combined restaurant/cafe and small bar, seven ground level commercial tenancies, 16 residential units over the first, second and third floor levels, a roof terrace on the uppermost level as well as single-level basement parking accessible via Bowral Street.