High density housing and apartments

What's the problem?

[build upon / clarify aspects of the problem described at the public meeting on 21 August 2007]

WCC's position

District Plan

Change 56: Managing Infill Housing Development

Plan Change 56 responds to concerns regarding the variable quality of infill housing in Wellington’s residential areas. The Plan Change amends a number of the District Plan rules in order to avoid the worst effects of poorly-designed infill housing.  Key changes include a reduction in the bulk and scale of infill housing and a requirement for each dwelling to have an area of outdoor open space attached to it. Additionally, the Council seeks to have greater discretion over the subdivision process for infill housing.

See Councils analysis of potential negative impacts of infill housing - diagram

Concerning examples

26 Wright Street (Production Village site)

Here is a summary of the action neighbours in Wright St are taking against the council in regards to the proposed development at Production Village (26 Wright St):

Developer Craig Stewart submitted a proposal to the council about 18 months ago to demolish the existing pre 1930 warehouse and cottage at 26 Wright St and build 21 townhouses on the site. The site is currently known as Production Village as utilised as premises for several film related businesses. It backs on to the green belt on the west boundary and has adjoining neighbours on the southern, northern and eastern boundaries.

Luckily one neighbour was aware that a developer had purchased the property and had requested to be informed if any plans were submitted to council.  Over the next year numerous concerns were raised by neighbours with the council - by phone, email, letters and meetings with councillors and council officials. A 120 signature petition requesting that the proposal be notified was also submitted. 

Many issues were raised including

• Increased parking and traffic demands
• Impact on neighbourhood character
• Shoehorning too many units into the site
• Site contamination - PCBs stored and possibly manufactured on site
• A number of breaches to the council’s district plan (minimum outdoor space, building height, sunlight planes, etc)
• Flooding of the nearby water body (tributary to Waitangi Stream)
• Impact on neighbours’ privacy – visual and acoustic
• Impact and risks to neighbours of the demolition and extensive excavation on boundaries.

In May this year the council made the decision the proposal could proceed on a non-notified basis. Most of the issues raised were either ignored or brushed over as having less than minor affect.

Neighbours have decided to challenge the council’s non-notified decision at the High Court with a judicial review. The recently formed Friends of Wright Street Incorporated society is acting as the plaintiff. An independent planner and traffic engineer have submitted affidavits in support our case.

The purpose of this summary is to ensure other Mt Cook residents who are interested in preserving the character of our suburb and who support sustained development are aware of this case. Any information we can share can only be of benefit.

For more information or to support residents of Wright Street with this case, please contact:

Jenny Brownlie

04 385 4474

brownliewilliams@hotmail.com

Options and strategies for Mt Cook

[refer to Mt Cook urban planning and design manifesto - to be developed]

Discussion

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