A gymnasium and fast food stores are suggested uses for a proposed commercial development at Rutherford.
Maitland City Council will consider rezoning the 2.5 hectare site next to McDonald’s, fronting the New England Highway, for applicants PDC Corporation.
A medical centre, retail nursery and service station are listed in the plans as further potential uses for the site, that includes a parking plan and landscaping.
The development would back onto a seniors lifestyle village with an approved 189 self-contained dwellings.
Strategic town planner Josh Ford has recommended council rezone the land from residential to business (B6) tomorrow night.
“To ensure consistency with council’s forward planning strategies the nature of the development in this location along the highway, if supported, should aim to attract a mix of business, food and drink premises and accommodation-type activities that are both capable of servicing the travelling public and compatible with the adjoining residential and business area,” he said.
The proposed development has in-principle support from Roads and Maritime Services, which advised there were no formal restrictions regarding access from the highway in June 2011.
An RMS representative advised access out of the proposed site would be restricted to left turn only.
Plans presented to council indicate further access to the site via the McDonald’s car park.
If council approves the rezoning, a planning proposal would be submitted to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure as part of a gateway determination.
With the approval of the Department of Planning plans would then be placed on public display via Maitland City Council.
“Consideration will need to be given to the relocation of council’s existing drainage reserve within the site,” Mr Ford said.
