Shops could become homes, says Tokoroa mayor
Tokoroa’s abundance of empty shops could be turned into housing, bringing vibrancy to the town and helping housing shortages, according to the mayor.
Mayor Jenny Shattock has suggested altering the District Plan, which currently only allows above ground residential living in town centres, to also include ground floor shops.
It comes amid a housing shortage in the district which is experiencing steady population growth after more than 20 years of decline and changing retail and business trends freeing up shops as people increasingly work from home and shop online.
Shattock said allowing people to live in ground floor shops would help solve the issues and bring ‘‘vibrancy and activity’’ back into retail areas.
‘‘Retail has changed over the years, largely due to the increase in online shopping, and gone are the days where business owners need a premise. We have seen a number of vacant shops popping up in all of our towns.
‘‘Coupled to this is the housing shortage in the district.
‘‘Recent survey results from our local estate agents is that smaller apartment-like living is something that people are looking for.
‘‘I thought this could be a good way to ‘kill two birds with one stone’ so to speak – fill empty shops and create apartments to fill a housing gap,’’ she said.
Inner city living is permitted in nearby Rotorua with the exception of Tutanekai St where resource consent is required for ground floor conversions. Performance standards, such as acoustic treatment, must however be met.
Mayor Steve Chadwick said the Rotorua Lakes Council was actively encouraging such living.
‘‘Inner city living is something we’re very keen to see more of,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s something we look to encourage when opportunities arise and it is permitted under the Rotorua District Plan.
‘‘Our vision is for a vibrant central business district (CBD) where people can live as well as work, shop and enjoy recreational activities, dining and entertainment.