Council to vote on apartment block plan for Albany courthouse precinct

A proposed four-storey apartment building could be built behind the heritage-listed Albany courthouse complex if approved by the City of Albany council at next week’s meeting.

At a committee meeting earlier this month, City of Albany councillors were unanimous in their support of an officer’s recommendation to grant approval for a mixed-use development on the corner of Duke and Collie Street.

The recommendation — to be voted on at next week’s council meeting — seeks to approve a plan for six units and an office behind the courthouse.

The approval would be subject to 22 conditions including that the build begins within two years, no street parking is lost and the developer adds street trees.

The proposed development would comprise six two-bedroom residential units and a ground level office approximately 150m west of York Street, an officer’s report said.

One structure will contain four units on four storeys and a separate structure will feature two storeys, containing one residential unit on each level.

The buildings will be situated on a 921sqm site incorporating the existing local and State heritage-listed building known as the Sergeant’s Quarters, part of the Albany Court House Complex.

“The existing State Heritage building (Sergeant’s Quarters) does not form part of this application, although this may be converted into a restaurant at a later date,” the report states.

According to the officer’s report, the proposal was advertised to adjoining landowners with two submissions received, both voicing objections.

Those opposed voiced concerns over “excessive building height”, “detraction of heritage values”, “insufficient car parking” and “over-development of the site”.

The application was also referred to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.