Parking concerns over Pilu restaurant expansion
Popular Freshwater Beach restaurant Pilu is losing popularity over its desire to become a permanent fixture in the area.
Residents are unhappy with the fine dining restaurant’s application to council citing parking concerns.
The award-winning restaurant was opened in 2004, by chef Giovanni Pilu and wife Marilyn and has become a beacon for Italian and Sardinian cuisine.
Currently, the restaurant has street frontage on Undercliff Rd and pedestrian access from Moore Rd. It is on the southern section of Freshwater Beach and operates under two development consents approving the indoor and outdoor use.
In early February, the owners lodged a new development application to consolidate the two existing approved applications under a single consent. This would formalise the use of the site as a restaurant with permission for ancillary event services including weddings to be permitted during the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm.
“The purpose of this DA is to supersede the existing 40-year-old consents … which currently govern the use of the restaurant on site and which are no longer fit-for purpose,” a planner said.
“Pilu is an award-winning fine dining restaurant and the service of food and drink for consumption on the premises will remain its primary purpose.
“It is proposed that the ancillary use of the site for wedding ceremonies be permitted in accordance with the plan of management.”
The restaurants operating hours would extend from 12:00am to 10:00pm Wednesday to Sunday to 10:00am to 12:00am Monday to Saturday and 10:00am to 10:00pm on Sundays.
Maximum occupancy would grow to a maximum of 50 patrons inside the pavilion and 100 people indoors, with plans to not exceed 130 at any time.
There are currently of 28 parking spaces provided via the council public car park. This would increaser to 43 spaces.
It is the increase in parking that has residents up in arms.
A submission by a patrolling member at Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club argued against the submission due to an already tight parking situation.
“There is a significant shortfall of parking down at Freshwater Beach, particularly when patrolling members are looking to park around changeover times,” the submission said.
“This DA does not propose any additional parking despite a proposed increase in the number of patrons to the ‘Pilu’ Restaurant.
“The intensity of the development is limited by the number of parking spaces it can provide per the requirements of the DCP (development control plan).”
That concern was mirrored in other submissions with one noting “ … the proposed development should be refused unless additional parking is provided as part of the proposal.”
There is some support from the local community, which notes that positive impact Pilu has had.
“We have never had any reason to complain about noise … in fact it certainly adds to the ambience and character of Freshwater Basin.” a submission from a long-time Freshwater resident wrote.
“Giovanni and Marilyn are a big part of our local framework, sponsoring or making donations to events and helping out wherever they can.” another submission said.
“We should be congratulating Pilu for making it through the pandemic, for holding onto its staff and for staying afloat during difficult times, not trying to pull them down or have them shut down.”
Pilu’s development application is now being assessed by Northern Beaches Council.
15th March 2023
