Cr Rod Macdonald, portfolio holder for planning, said Council would request the Minister for Planning appoint an Independent Panel to consider public submissions received as the result of the exhibition of Amendment C139.
He said the amendment proposed the rezoning of 59 hectares of land in Melaluka Road, Leopold, from Farming Zone to part Residential One Zone and part Public Park and Recreation Zone.
"Although the subject land is situated on the edge of the Leopold township, it falls within the area's designated Limit to Urban Expansion," Cr Macdonald said.
"The subject site forms part of the Municipal Strategic Statement of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme, and has been identified for urban development in the short term," he said.
Cr Macdonald said that as the result of the exhibition of the proposed rezoning amendment, 20 submissions were received.
He said issues raised in the submissions were not considered sufficient to warrant the amendment being abandoned, and were not able to be resolved by altering the proposed amendment.
"Provision of a major new housing estate in Leopold will provide for the projected significant population growth in the area over the next decade," Cr Macdonald said.
"It will also complement the smaller residential development opportunities on the northern side of the Bellarine Highway," he said.
"The potential for the future subdivision of the land to accommodate a range of lot sizes, including some sites for multi-unit housing development, will also assist in increasing the housing diversity of Leopold," Cr Macdonald said.
"Under the proposal the developers will fund the necessary infrastructure upgrades to enable the subdivision of the land to proceed."
Cr Macdonald said the developers would also be required to make contributions toward roadworks, establishment of a sub-regional park and the extension of the footpath along Melaluka Road.
"The developers have also agreed to make a contribution of $900 per housing lot toward the provision of a library for Leopold," Cr Macdonald said.
