A developer hopes to erect a five-storey residential and commercial building on a vacant lot on South Road in Smith’s.

A planning application submitted recently by Gilbert Lopes said that the proposed development at 12 South Road would feature medical or retail space at street level, office space on the second floor and 18 one-bedroom residential units on top.

Planning documents stated that the site, between the 10 South restaurant and Pampas Road, is within the Collectors Hill commercial zone, with a variety of amenities near by.

They explained: “It is effectively a vacant site but used by a landscape company for stockpiling topsoil.

“There is a semi-underground water tank that was constructed a long time ago for a building that was not developed and this will be removed.

“Collectors Hill has three restaurants, a wine bar, a grocery store, an apothecary, a gas station and professional offices.

“The introduction of a mixed-use residential and commercial building at Collectors Hill will enhance the area and contribute to the viability of the businesses.

“As a corollary, residents and business occupants in the proposed building will be well served by the local amenities.”

The application also noted a shortage of housing on the island and said there was a market for single-bedroom units.

The application urged the Development Applications Board to waive the requirement for communal space, arguing that private indoor and outdoor space, along with amenities in the area, compensate for the lack of communal space.

“The gross floor area of the units ranges from 1,000 square feet to 1,105 square feet whereas the minimum is 425 square feet,” the documents stated.

“The private balconies range from 135 square feet to 205 square feet. The average size is 163 square feet as opposed to the minimum requirement of 90 square feet.

“The intent is to provide housing with generous accommodation for singles or couples, rather than families.

“The combined total of internal and outdoor space in excess of the minimums compensates for the prescribed communal space.”

The application also notes that a semi-basement would include parking for 23 cars and 18 bikes, with 18 of the car spaces assigned to residential units and the remaining five to the commercial space.

“Additional car and bike parking is available in the central parking lot,” the documents said. “The 39 spaces in this parking lot are shared by the surrounding properties.”

The application said that the proposed development would provide needed housing and make “efficient” use of the available land.

“It addresses the Bermuda Plan objective of creating greater vitality and viability in a neighbourhood commercial centre,” the documents said. “It also addresses the objective of decentralising commercial activity away from the City of Hamilton.

“Along with the added commercial use will be the residential activity to support the Collectors Hill commercial hub.”