21 November 2000
Business Zone Apartment Dwellers “Generally Happy”, Auckland City Survey Shows
Apartment dwellers in Auckland City’s Business zones are generally happy with where they live although many do not
understand what Business zone regulations mean.
A survey of around 350 households within the zones has shown that many residents are pleased with the building or unit
they live in, place high importance on urban design guidelines and are positive about future residential development in
their area.
However, many have limited awareness that they are living in a Business zone and do not know what the zoning means in
terms of regulations and future development which may impact on their lifestyle.
Planning and Regulatory committee chair Juliet Yates says the residents surveyed want to protect the things they enjoy
and their quality of life but often have incorrect assumptions about the level of protection offered by existing
controls.
“They tend to be satisfied with what they see, not with what could be,” Cr Yates said. “They are not being given the
full picture when they build or buy in these areas and we will be drawing this to the attention of the Real Estate
Institute and the Law Society because their members advise potential purchasers.”
The council will also carry out more surveys and site analysis within the Business zones to determine how it can best
balance business and residential needs within the areas, Cr Yates says.
“This work will be important for the future because the city faces an increasing population and many of these people
will be apartment dwellers,” she added.
“We need to ensure that policies and rules are in place to enable quality environments close to work, entertainment and
recreation. Some residents are concerned that current rules lack adequate controls for natural light and density and
these are the kinds of things we will have to look at.
“By ensuring that people who live in or near Business zones have high amenity and design controls, we can maintain the
vitality of the city for future generations.”
ENDS
For further information
Please contact Cr Juliet Yates
Telephone 528 0581 or 025 289 0623