Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Following a comprehensive review of the current residential area and financial contributions provisions in the District Plan, Council is inviting public submissions on Proposed Plan Change 12.
Councillor Roger Styles, Chair of the District Plan Committee, says the proposed change addresses the key issues identified in the review, including providing for future growth, encouraging appropriate higher density housing, and ensuring efficient implementation of the District Plan provisions.
“The population of Hutt City has changed in recent years and as a result so have our housing needs. There is an increasing demand for smaller homes and this, combined with declining affordability, led us to think of how we could provide for the sort of housing which reflects these changes.
“The change proposes that the existing Higher Density Residential areas be extended to include residential areas around shopping centres and transport routes. Higher Density Residential areas allow for smaller sites and greater building coverage than other residential areas. This change will take the number of higher density residential sites from around 12% of households to around 25% of households in Hutt City.
“We are also proposing that the provisions relating to multi unit housing be amended to include developments of three or more units rather than the present five, and the introduction of design guides to ensure a high quality of design for these developments.
“These are important changes that will ensure quality residential growth is provided for within the city. I encourage all Hutt residents to have their say through the submission process.
“Other proposed amendments include changes to the provisions for accessory buildings, yard requirements, recession planes, decks, home occupations, and childcare facilities. In addition, we propose to remove the provision for building length, add a minimum area rule for permeable surfaces, and set a maximum dollar value for reserve contributions for each new residential and rural subdivision allotment.”
Copies of the Proposed Plan Change will be available at www.huttcity.govt.nz/publications-forms/District-Plan/Plan-Changes or by calling 570 6666. Submissions close at 5pm on Friday 27 March.