AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

3 August 2007

Milestones for urban development

Further elements of Auckland City Council’s urban design focus have been put in place with full council approval last week for plan changes 153 and 26.

Plan change 153 amends the isthmus section of the district plan for Auckland (which excludes the CBD) to require assessment of developments of four or more units in Residential 6 and 7 zones against urban design criteria. This change is in response to community concerns over some larger unit developments in existing residential areas. All developments of four or more units in these zones will require a resource consent and will need to show that urban design matters set out in the council’s residential design guide are addressed before consent can be granted.

Plan change 26 amends the district plan by introducing amenity and urban design controls for visitor accommodation, boarding houses, large-scale retirement developments and integrated housing developments. This is to ensure that these types of residential developments achieve good quality living environments for people and are designed to fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood.

“These are important milestones in the council’s continuing emphasis on urban design to improve the built form and amenities associated with our city,” says Councillor Glenda Fryer, Planning and Regulatory chairperson.

The plan changes are now operative.

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