Piedimonte’s supermarket plans given green light

“There is a tension between seeking to support intensification and urban consolidation with protection of neighbourhood character,” tribunal members Jeanette Rickards and Ann Keddie said.

But they added: “Overall, we consider that there is strong strategic justification for the proposal. It is an appropriate development within the North Fitzroy Village.”

At least 602 residents objected to the development which was blocked by Yarra Council in May last year, leading to the Piedimontes challenging the decision in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The owners of the nearest residential property to the supermarket, Markus and Annette Helsing, said changes to the laneway will impact them and the building will result in noise, overshadowing, and overlooking of their property.

Just eight residents supported the project which will see two buildings cover an L-shaped site between 25-45 Best Street and 102-114 Scotchmer Street as well as a publicly-owned laneway. One, Robert Papaleo, said the redevelopment will provide a positive overall community benefit.

The tribunal ordered two significant alterations to the plans.

One corner of the seven storey building was reduced to five stories and the second building scaled back to four levels from the original five.

The facades of some heritage shops, the 1920s Fisher and Co motor engineers workshop, will remain intact, but nevertheless, Yarra Council labelled demolition of other portions “inappropriate,” saying it will adversely affect the area’s heritage significance.

“We disagree … that the extent of demolition is excessive,” the tribunal said in response.

The plans include an overhaul of the bustling supermarket which will be modernised into a 5000 square metre store with back-of-house offices and a 614 sq m bottle shop opening from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.