Originally Posted by MCC

1. The proposal by virtue of its height and lack of setbacks detracts from Russell Street and Little Lonsdale Street and surrounding properties.
2. The proposal by virtue of its height and lack of setbacks detracts from Hayward Lane and would be contrary to Clause 22.01 (Urban Design Outside the Capital City Zone) and Clause 22.20 (CBD Lanes) of the Melbourne Planning Scheme.
3. The proposal will have unacceptable wind impacts on the pedestrian realm.
4. The proposed height and lack of setbacks will have an adverse impact on the development potential of adjoining land.
5. The proposal by virtue of its height, lack of setbacks, excessive plot ratio, extent of projections and lack of on-site loading facilities represents an overdevelopment of the site.

Originally Posted by VCAT

The proposed building was presented to us as being of high quality design and finishes and as having a unique design feature in the form of the 5 in-set, communal hanging gardens at different elevations above ground level. We accept these assurances and consider that they contribute importantly to this proposal’s acceptability.

During the hearing, parties expressed the view that the final quality of the constructed building, and the hanging gardens, were critical to its acceptability. We agree and urge Council to only endorse final plans that achieve a similar high standard of design and built form outcome to the ones shown on the plans before us.