A Lyneham park earmarked for future redevelopment will be preserved as open space under new planning and design rules for Northbourne Avenue and Federal Highway.
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But building height limits near Kamberra winery will be raised further than first proposed, as the final City and Gateway framework seeks to strike a balance between encouraging development and maintaining the character of the main entry point to the national capital.
The compromise has been welcomed by the ACT Property Council, which spearheaded industry opposition to the draft plan amid fears a 'low density vision' would constrain future development along the light rail route.
Federal assistant minister Sussan Ley has approved the final set of planning rules for the framework, which include raising building height limits on Northbourne Avenue and Federal Highway to help pave the way for more than 37,000 new dwellings.
A number of tweaks were made to the draft proposal after the National Capital Authority received 65 submissions during public consultation.
A report on the feedback noted that more than a third of submissions made reference to open space, with a proposal to allow 18 metre-tall community buildings on Lyneham's Southwell Park "attracting significant attention".
Respondents were concerned the land could be redeveloped with apartments and offices, resulting in a loss of open space the growing inner north could ill afford, according to the report. On Monday, Liberal Senator Zed Seselja and authority chief executive Sally Barnes announced the park would be preserved as open space under the final.
Changes have also been made to planning rules for land on the western side of Federal Highway, between the Barton Highway and Flemington Road. The stretch includes Kamberra winery, whose owners have long-held plans to develop around the site.
Buildings of up to 18 meters will be permitted at the rear of developments fronting Federal Highway, where a 12-metre cap will apply.
In its submission to the draft plan, the City Renewal Authority recommended further height limit increases on the the stretch of Federal Highway, which it identified as ripe for redevelopment.
"As the only location along the corridor not constrained by existing residences and close to light rail stops, this is a valuable opportunity for transit oriented development," the agency's submission noted.
The final plan loosens proposed restrictions on apartment and balcony sizes, and grants more flexibility for the design of developments on land at the MacCarthur Avenue/Wakefield Avenue intersection.
ACT Property Council executive Adina Cirson said the changes showed the National Capital Authority had listened to the concerns of industry groups and the community. Ms Cirson said the raised building heights off Federal Highway was a "perfect example of a good compromise".
