Draft Auckland Unitary Plan

Dear Neighbor, change is coming…
I am sure many of you are wondering what all this Unitary Plan fuss is all about. I believe in educating our neighborhood on some of the key proposed changes and how they will affect Mission Bay and the neighboring areas. Below are a few proposed changes as outlined in the Orakei Local Board Fact Sheet – subject to change.

Current status

The Auckland Isthmus District Plan controls for residential areas around Ellerslie town centre, Mission Bay, Remuera, St Heliers village, Eastridge/Orakei and Meadowbank centres generally allow people to build up to 8m (2 storeys) without needing resource consent. There are exceptions, notably areas where up to 10m (3 storeys) is possible such as fronting St Johns Road continuing along Remuera Road. There are also discrete areas on Remuera Road, close to Remuera shops where a height of up to 20m is possible. Stonefields has a range of housing options currently as part of a particular plan for this emerging suburb.

What’s our area going to look like?

The draft Unitary Plan proposes a Single House zone for large parts of the area, particularly on the northern Remuera slopes, around Churchill Park in Glendowie. The proposed maximum height restriction for a Single House is 8m (2 storeys), with one unit per site. At least 500m2 vacant land is required for subdivision and the minimum front yard set at 5m. The biggest difference residents will see are in and around the Ellerslie and Remuera Town Centres, at Meadowbank, Eastridge/Kepa Road, the maximum height will change from 12.5m (3 storeys) to 16.5m (4 storeys). However, in Ellerslie, where current historic character overlays apply, the 12.5m height will remain.

What’s happening with Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings?

Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings are proposed to the north of the Ellerslie town centre, close to Remuera village and fronting Remuera Road; and to a more limited extent around the local centres of St Heliers, Mission Bay, Eastridge/Kepa Road and Meadowbank. This will see a change from the current maximum heights of about 10m to 14.5m (4 storeys) and an increase in intensity as there will be no limit of units per site.

What’s happening with Mixed Housing?

In wide areas of Orakei, such as the suburbs of Ellerslie, Meadowbank, St Johns and Orakei a Mixed Housing zone is proposed. The permitted height limit for these zones is generally the same as the current limit however, subdivision to a level of 1 unit: 300m2 will be possible, which is less than the lot sizes which currently apply. So, while height will be generally the same, increased intensity per site will be allowed.

What about existing plans such as Orakei Point masterplan or Stonefields?

The Orakei Point plan change is still subject to Environment Court proceedings, and until such time as a decision is reached on this plan change, it is not particularly reflected in the draft Unitary Plan.

For further information on this please have a look at the websites below or flick us an email if you have any other real-estate enquiries.

www.shapeauckland.co.nz
www.itsmybackyard.co.nz/areaplans/remuera.asp