Lake Macquarie West Ward Independent councillor Anthony Swinsburg hopes Monday night's council meeting is the "first step" in blocking a contentious housing estate.
Grantham Farm Pty Ltd has submitted a development application (DA) to Lake Macquarie City Council for a 76-lot residential housing estate at 44 Carleton Street, Toronto.
Cr Swinsburg will bring a notice of motion at the meeting held at Glendale's Hunter Sports Centre, calling for the council to receive a report to determine the DA.
The notice of motion also calls for more time to consider traffic and infrastructure impacts, the suitability of the estate in line with the council's environment and development controls, as well as the community's concerns.
The DA has been met with community anger in Toronto, with existing residents concerned about the estate's impact on roads and facilities and small lot sizes.
The estate's lot sizes proposed range from 250 square metres to 378.7 square metres, with the majority sitting between 250 and 255 square metres.
"My issue is the lack of diversity in the block size in one concentrated area," Cr Swinsburg said.
"It's at odds with our intention to provide diversity in housing options. So whilst I recognise that across the city at large, there is only a small proportion of housing blocks that are smaller blocks and provide different opportunities for diversity for other people, what we just need to be careful of is that we then don't swing the pendulum too far in one direction and that a large number of all future housing estates then just become small lots."
Cr Swinsburg said the notice of motion was about placing the DA on council's radar.
"A number of other councillors I've spoken to have said they would welcome the opportunity to have it debated," Cr Swinsburg said.
"In fact, from what I've been told from staff and what I've noticed over my term in office is any DA that's been called up to be debated hasn't been rejected.
"So I would expect this notice of motion to be approved because it then allows for open debate of the issue."
The DA has received five community submissions, all in opposition to the housing estate.
All cite the block size and pressure on roads and local facilities.
"It proposes dense housing without appropriate infrastructure to support the residents," resident Reg Crick said.
"The proposal is devoid of appropriate green areas, parks or playgrounds to enable proper family welfare, exercise and community amenities.
"The DA represents a total disregard for the needs and aspirations of families."
In the statement of environmental effects, Amaroo Town Planning argued on behalf of Grantham Farm that the subdivision would not have any negative economic impact and that appropriate green space would be provided.
"The proposal will have a positive social impact by providing an additional 76 residential allotments that will assist in reducing the overstimulated demand for housing," it said.
"The proposed loop road has a positive social impact as it increases permeability through the site for pedestrians and vehicles.
"The passive communal open space at the western and northwestern part of the site provides an opportunity for the residents to walk through a natural area."
