Update: Colombian/Kinselas expansions APPROVED - DA D/2008/1873/C & D/2009/1193
Development Approval was given on 1/9/09 by the City of Sydney Planning Department, under delegation of Council, for an expansion of The Colombian Hotel into the adjacent premises at 125 Oxford Street. This development has since completed construction and is currently in operation. Development Approval was also given for the expansion of the Kinselas Hotel into the adjacent building at 381 Bourke Street at a meeting of Council on 23/11/09. Construction is yet to commence.
Both developments relate to the modification or increase in size of the gaming (pokies) areas within the hotels.
The Colombian - DA D/2008/1873/C
The original Development Application proposed an extension of the premises into 125 Oxford Street (previously used as a retail shop and most recently vacant) for use as a public lounge and partially outdoor gaming courtyard. A foyer area with bi-fold windows and a bench with seating would have fronted Oxford Street, similar to the configuration already in place at the existing premises. This would have allowed for an additional 60 patrons. Council's Planning Department approved the application with conditions attached such as limited trial trading hours for the public lounge and foyer area (as the development would have created an intensification of use).
The applicant then submitted a number of Development Applications with various modifications to the original proposal. The final DA called for the deletion of the public lounge and foyer area and replaced them with a cloak room, cleaner's storage and window display. The proposal for the outdoor gaming courtyard was retained along with a link to the existing gaming area and a new corridor connecting to the Oxford Street frontage. The applicant then submitted a DA for 24 hour trading for the extended portion of the site, in line with the rest of the hotel. This was granted (on a trial basis, as discussed below) considering there would no longer be an increase to patron numbers and the deletion of the public lounge option.
It should be noted that The Colombian Hotel currently trades 24 hours daily on a trial basis. This trial expires on 4th March 2010 and then reverts back to a 3am closing. The venue can submit a new Development Application for continued extended trading hours. This would be considered by Council based on compliance with conditions of consent, any substantiated complaints received and views expressed by the Police.
Kinselas - DA D/2009/1193
At a meeting of Council on 23/11/09 Development Consent was granted for the extension of the Kinselas Hotel into one of the last remaining shopfronts on Taylor Square (previously used as a restaurant and most recently vacant) at 381 Bourke Street. The development will include a new courtyard with partially open gaming and smoking rooms, cloakroom and store. According to the Planning Report the applicant originally intended to increase overall hotel capacity from 606 to 633 patrons. This was not supported by the Police and was later withdrawn by the applicant.
67 objections were submitted in relation to the DA. The majority of Councillors voted in favour of approving the DA with the two Greens Councillors, Irene Doutney and Chris Harris, voting against it. Conditions imposed on the development include a one year trial of operating hours for the partially open sections of 10am - midnight and 24 hours (in line with the rest of the hotel) for the Bourke Street entry, corridor and cloakroom.
It should be noted that even before being notified of the decision, the applicant commenced proceedings against Council in the Land & Environment Court, citing deemed refusal.
More information...
To learn more about the Colombian expansion you can read the various Planning Assessment Reports and Determinations containing conditions of consent by using Council's handy DA Search function and typing the DA year (2008) and number (1873) into the search fields.
For further information in relation to the Kinselas expansion you can read the Assessment Report or take a look at the Determination containing the relevant conditions of consent.