QLDC at odds with developers on zone rules
THERE is disagreement between the developers of the Northlake subdivision in Wanaka and the Queenstown Lakes District Council over a proposal to build 20 ‘‘affordable’’ terrace houses.
The Northlake special zone master plan approved by the council in 2016 included 20 ‘‘affordable residential lots’’ and a rule that they had to be ‘‘marked for sale at a [2014] maximum price of $160,000’’, adjusted for inflation.
Council senior planner Sarah Gathercole, in a report attached to a decision in August requiring the terrace house development to be publicly notified, noted the current price, adjusted for inflation, was $190,181.
Her concern was that there was ‘‘no way to separate the price of the lot and the price of the dwelling when sold’’.
She considered the proposal ‘‘can not comply’’ with the special zone rule.
‘‘Given that the terrace houses cannot be sold separately to the land . . . there is no mechanism to ensure that the ‘lots’ are still affordable; sold at a price of $190,181’’ and ‘‘at cost with no mark up’’.
‘‘Given this uncertainty it is considered that adverse effects may be more than minor.’’
Northlake planner Duncan White said legal advisers determined the ‘‘most appropriate mechanism’’ was for a consent condition to be set out in a consent notice stating lots must be marketed and sold by Northlake at a price ‘‘no greater than $190,181’’, subject to adjustment.
Ms Gathercole did not consider the wording ensured the lots would be delivered to the market at that price.
Northlake offered the sections — ranging in size from 155sqm to 355sqm — without the terrace houses to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust, which declined them.
The council also had concerns about the development’s urban design, particularly in relation to car parking.
Northlake did not respond to an Otago Daily Times request for comment.
Public submissions close on October 11.
Ms Gathercole noted Northlake had withdrawn an application to remove the tennis court it built near the centre of the subdivision.