Infill housing given the squeeze in proposed District Plan changes
April 13, 2006

North Shore City Council is seeking feedback from residents on proposed changes to its District Plan that could impact on all areas of the city.

Almost 70,000 householders will have received proposed plan change 17 - addressing the effects of infill housing on the character of residential areas - with their April rates instalment and newsletter.

The proposed plan change was publicly notified earlier this month. It includes changes that would delete the provision for minor residential units from the residential zones, but still allow a second kitchen and dishwashing facility to provide accommodation for dependent relatives. It also defines boarding houses, reducing the threshold for when a resource consent is required.

Other proposals include deleting the provision for intensive housing in Residential 2 Zone and additional controls on the location of garages and carports in the front yard of some residential zones throughout the city.

"Infill capacity is quite limited across the city, however, consultation with community boards and groups raised issues that need to be addressed to alleviate the potential adverse effects of the remaining infill development. They will also address similar issues that are likely to be associated with the redevelopment of sites or areas," says North Shore City's environmental policy and planning manager, Trevor Mackie.

The change affects land in all residential zones, including the Albany and Greenhithe structure plan zones and, in particular, the Residential 4: Main Residential Area and Residential 3: Built Heritage zones where the minimum lot sizes have been increased.

Submissions on proposed plan change 17 must be lodged at North Shore City Council by 5pm on Friday, May 19.
A full programme of proposed plan changes to North Shore City's District Plan was discussed at the council's strategic management committee yesterday.

Committee chairman Gary Holmes says councillors agreed that staff need to explore new avenues for engaging the public more broadly on District Plan issues.

"In addition to rules and educational information, incentives might be used to achieve good environmental outcomes as a result of changes being made," Councillor Holmes says.

Details of the proposed plan changes are available on the council's website www.northshorecity.govt.nz ENDS

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