Business rezoning draws protest

A Gosford Council plan to have "minor business areas" in the city rezoned from general business to "neighbourhood" business has brought protests from the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and local businessman Mr Jerry Altavilla.
The plan is currently on exhibition and seeks to cut the allowable floor ratio from 1:1 to 0.5:1 effectively halving developable area, setting a two-storey height limit and limiting the amount of any development that can be residential.
President of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Mr Matthew Wales, said the council was seeking to impose over-regulation on small business precincts that fell outside the main CBD areas.
He said the new zonings would effectively devalue properties and cause problems for property owners who may have borrowed against the previous higher land value.
He said many of the properties affected were on the Peninsula including properties such as the Ettalong markets.
Mr Jerry Altavilla, the owner of the Sea Sand resort, Ettalong Markets and Cinema Paradiso complex said he disagreed with the rezoning.
"The change in ratio from 1:1 to 0.5:1 means you would only be able to develop half your site," he said.
"Down the track, I wanted to refurbish and expand my property to compete with the commercial areas, but council is going to try and stop it.
"It will devalue my properties. The cinema, markets and hotel were possible because of the existing flexibility.
"Now we will have to compete with one arm and one leg cut off.
"It's not just me," he said..
Other areas such as Umina Mall, Patonga and Somersby Farm for example were also affected.
"The markets are the main part of Ettalong, a focal point of the Peninsula.
"Council is anti-development.
"And what we've done is not to the detriment of the local community.
"The State Government is trying to increase density in the area.
"Is council prepared to pay compensation?"
Mayor Cr Chris Holstein said council had had problems in the past with abuse of the zonings.
He said some developers had tried to turn neighbourhood areas into residential high-rises.
Mr Wales said the Chamber was trying to revitalise business precincts, but council was working to restrict redevelopment options for land owners.