Parramatta councillors have knocked back a proposal for an eight-room boarding house in the heart of the South Parramatta Heritage Conservation Area, against the recommendation of council officers.
The development application, lodged under the state government's affordable housing state environmental planning policy, sought to demolish an existing shed and build a two-storey boarding house and caretakers dwelling on the 700 square metre block at 42A Crimea Street, Parramatta.
The site is bordered by one-storey homes, with the street consisting predominantly of Victorian and early 20th century single-story houses.
Councillors unanimously agreed the proposal was inconsistent with the street's character, would create unsafe amounts of traffic in a narrow street, had parking availability issues and was not within 400 metres of a railway station or near a shopping centre.
Council officers had recommended conditional approval of the application.
"The proposal is suitable for the site and is in the public interest," papers for Monday's council meeting said.
And in other council news:
Plan for more toilets
Parramatta Council will prepare a report which will look at increasing the number of public amenity blocks across the city.
Councillors agreed to investigate demands to improve public amenities in the Harris Park neighbourhood shopping centre, including providing public toilets and additional parking spaces.
They also agreed to a general report in relation to public toilets across the city, particularly near shopping centres and parks.