The council refused the Finchley Park Crescent development at its meeting last week, believing it did not comply with neighbourhood character, was an overdevelopment of the site and would create "visual bulk" in the street.

Samantha Jobe fears the developer will take the matter to VCAT, where the council's ruling could be overturned.

Ms Jobe is against the development because of its closeness to her house.

She fears the occupants of the double-storey houses will be able to look into her living and entertainment areas and that the development will cast a shadow on her garden.

She's also concerned the driveway to the three houses would run along the length of her fence and that the noise from cars coming and going could disturb her young daughter. Fourteen other objections were received.

The council's planning staff had recommended the development be approved, but Cr Shane Bourke moved an alternative motion calling for the development to be knocked back.

He said he shared many of Ms Jobe's concerns, adding the development was wrong for the area. "The reality is there are real people living [in the street] who this is going to impact on," Cr Bourke said.

Ms Jobe said she did not oppose the site being developed but would be more comfortable with two single-storey houses on the land.

"I'm a single mother and I saved up to get this house. I am concerned it will lose value," she said.

"Potentially, there is going to be three families, three barking dogs and three sets of parties taking place next door.

"I don't want all that noise. If I wanted noise I would live on a main road."

The developer has 60 days to lodge an appeal with VCAT after receiving the council's notice of refusal.