An east Auckland residents’ association says a proposed local housing development is not in keeping with its community’s character.
Developer HND HMB Ltd wants to build 92 residential units on a 1.4 hectare site presently occupied by the Stand for Children charity a short distance from Half Moon Bay Marina.
Compass Point Way Residents Association chairman Don Malcolm says the group is concerned about the possible impact on the local community if it goes ahead in its current form.
“We’re not opposed to development. The character of the neighbourhood, of any neighbourhood, deserves consideration whether it’s here or anywhere else.
“When each of us bought our properties in Compass Point Way 20 years ago, they came with covenants that said ‘you can do this, you can’t do that’.
“The covenants are all single-dwelling. They were expensive sections and pretty comprehensive covenants, so what we would like the developer to consider is those covenants with any development they do there.”
Malcolm says the group believes the number of units proposed for the site is far too high.
“This is not an ultra-high density area. It’s not in keeping with the community at large and certainly not in keeping with that street.”
The group accepts there will be a commercial benefit to businesses at the marina from having more households living nearby, but the roads may become clogged up with extra vehicles, he says.
“When you’ve got 92 units and you have to assume there are at least two cars per unit.
“That’s 180 cars, so that is a concern for us. I know senior teachers and administrative staff at local schools and they’re all at capacity.
“The infrastructure of any community is like a sponge. You can only drip so much water into it before it will accept no more, and I believe the local schools are beyond full.”
A spokesperson for project managers Risland NZ says the neighbourhood’s existing character has been considered and reflected by the development’s design.
“Along Compass Point Way the proposal is configured as a series of duplexes and triplexes intended to relate to the pattern of buildings along the road.
“Parking and circulation lanes have been located on the interior of the development.
“At the same time, the Mixed Housing Suburban Zone does enable intensification, while retaining a suburban built character.”
The spokesperson says one of the zone’s objectives is for housing capacity, intensity and choice to increase.
“The zone seeks to ensure development is in keeping with the neighbourhood’s planned suburban built character of predominately two-storey buildings, in a variety of forms.”
The development site is subject to no covenants and the proposal isn’t considered to be ultra high-density, they say.
“The site and surrounding lane is currently zoned Mixed Housing Suburban, which enables detached and attached housing in a variety of types and sizes to provide housing choice.
“The proposal will serve to provide for much-needed housing for Kiwis in need of quality homes.
“It will increase housing choice and supply in a site located close to a wide range of amenities.”
The spokesperson says the Auckland Unitary Plan envisages greater intensification throughout Auckland.
“This is known to the Ministry of Education and we understand they actively review housing developments to plan for future school accommodation as they develop.”
