A WINDERMERE Street medical centre could be approved, despite five objections and one 52-signature petition against it.
However, it will have 20 conditions attached if it gets the go-ahead at tomorrow night’s Ballarat City Council meeting.
The proposed centre would be located at 2-4 Windermere Street in a residential one zone, and would be a double-storey building with 20 on-site car parks.
Five medical practitioners would operate at the centre, which would open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturday.
In a report to the council, statutory planner Jade Erwin said the proposal respected the Ballarat CBD’s heritage character and was close to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital, St John of God Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Centre.
Ms Erwin said it would provide a transition from the taller Sturt Street commercial buildings to the Windermere Street houses, would not overload the road system, adjoined two commercial businesses and would have adequate car parking.
“It is acknowledged the site is in a residential zone and will increase traffic in the area,” Ms Erwin said.
“However, for the reasons detailed, on balance, the proposal is considered acceptable.”
But the main objections include traffic along nearby Leviathan and Anticline lanes, increased traffic and car parking on Windermere Street, its effect on local roads and laneways and concerns that it is in a residential zone outside the Mair Street Medical Precinct.
Other objections focus on the building’s height, bulk and design and its impact on the adjoining National Australia Bank car park.
fiona.henderson@thecourier.com.au