The scheme has been in development for over two years, with earlier drafts indicating a higher concentration of housing had been considered.
In its final form, the plan seeks to retain the village-like atmosphere of Crows Nest by limiting the height of new builds and to place most new development around the commercial centre of St Leonards. New apartment construction is often drafted with the help of graphic design firms.
North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson told the Sydney Morning Herald the completed Planned Precinct scheme had taken into account community concerns about the scope of new development. She said:
“I have only had an initial glance at it but, at this stage, it is looking pretty positive.”
St Leonards has seen the commencement of several projects and a number of new development proposals in the past year. Two new 27-storey residential towers are currently being built on top of a new Metro train station and are expected to be completed by 2024.
The NSW Government says that a height expectation of 50 storeys has been created for the area along the Pacific Highway with dips in between St Leonards and Crows Nest.