At a glance

The site is 843m² in size, located at Ferntree Gully. There are many dual occupancies and 3 townhouses development precedence in the area. The site is directly opposite a commercial retail plus warehouse; therefore, feasibility study was performed for various development forms including commercial development, detached 3 beds plus townhouses, attached 4 beds plus townhouses and attached 3 townhouses.

After review of financial and construction cost the owner who is also a builder decided to go with the 3 townhouses development to fit an extra tenancy on small block usually suitable for dual occupancy if subdivided.

side by side dulay occupancy - Front-And-Back 3 Townhouses Development (Ferntree Gully)

Free Initial Consultation

Key results

3 Townhouses on a Small Block

The early communication with council paid off. The proposed development received support from council and neighbours without VCAT.

Money and Energy Saving

The increased site fall created a self-sustained stormwater system that avoided the use of a stormwater pump, save money and energy for a long run.

Optimum Solar Gain

Optimum solar gain from North facing windows and fully openable glazed doors to the backyard.

Large Open Plan Living

Large open plan living allows for flexible furnishing arrangement.

Maximised Building Footprint

Maximised the buildable building footprint. Minimum internal circulation space wastage. Additional bathroom on ground floor in lieu of a basic powder room.

Constraints

Small land size for 3 townhouse
Fronted with a large street tree & speed bump
Large swimming pool in the rear to be infilled
Old driveway on the north side, unable to move to South due to too close to speed bump
Large native tree in the rear (need to be retained)
2.4m rear Easement
Recently rezoned as Residential zone 3
No precedence in the area for 3 double storey townhouses. (Only single storey at rear)
Council ROW fence not on title boundary and collapsed into our site.
Underground drainage information not aligned with the drainage record.Within flood zone, high flood level.

Opportunities

01

Adjacent to Commercial Zone

It can be a constraint but also an opportunity for us to explore smaller housing options. As next to commercial zone means the targeted residents might be shifted from large families to small and younger families and on site parking demand is less as so close to works and shops in the commercial zone.

02

No Neighbour on the North Side

No over shadowing and overlooking issue on the North, only a council Right of Way (ROW); able to design large windows and courtyards on the North with maximum solar gain and a glimpse of city skyline view.

Key focus

The client is a builder developer, it will maximise his investment’s profitability if more units can be fit on the land as the cost for a 4-bed dual occupancy townhouse is almost the same as a 2-3 beds 3 townhouse development; but 3 townhouses’s market value is much higher.

Solutions

Early feasibility study & market research to determine the right development type.
Obtain pre application approval from council for introducing a higher density design prior to submitting the application.
Reposition crossover for a southern driveway, use landscaping and mailbox position to disguise the large curved driveway.
Minimize front and rear setback for larger built area.
2 beds townhouse with single garage for the additional residency.
Simple large open plan design
Additional bathroom on ground floor in lieu of a basic powder room.
Seperate bath and amenity areas to service the individual urban lifestyle.
Position living areas and habitable rooms on the North for optimal solar gain and city view.
Negotiate drainage exemption for unexpected drainage found close to the proposed footing.
Independent arborist report and pre-construction inground services survey to gain support from council for the development.FFL raised 500mm by council civil engineer, modification to site fall, engineered slab design and combine retaining wall with kerbs and channels to achieve a sustainable stormwater system.

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