Urban density to be challenged at hearing

The Invercargill City Council Hearings Panel will consider whether a proposal to add a unit to a residential section is good urban design this week.

The applicant, Steve Coatsworth on behalf of Peter Prestel, is applying to add a 21.6 square metre studio unit to a 579 square metre property at 96 Hyde St, Invercargill.

The proposal has been identified as non-complying and the hearing agenda says the key issue for the application is density and residential amenity within the residential 1 zone of the Proposed District Plan.

Under the plan the maximum residential density is one residence per 400 square metres. All affected parties have given their written consent for the unit to be built.

It is considered the application meets the purposes and principals of the Resource Management Act, as the units will offer the wider community a modern alternative accommodation option, and residential amenity and the quality of the environment are maintained.

The agenda says the application also meets all requirements of the Regional Policy Statement except for the policy regarding high quality urban design. However, the report says with well designed landscaping, urban amenity and the quality of the environment can be enhanced.

It is recommended the application be granted, with conditions, including that a detailed landscaping plan be submitted to the council. for approval.