Unitary Plan – Those Amendments on Density and Parking

Written by Ben Ross - Talking Auckland

A Record of the Votes on the Density Controls and Parking Minimums

 

I have the voting records of the amendments that were either trying to pass on density controls or parking minimums onto residential developments. Remembering every control placed onto a developer such as density controls and parking minimums inhibits the market to meet the demand and supply equation of new housing in Auckland.

These controls also contribute to making housing more unaffordable due to the developer having to comply with these controls. As always a supplier will pass on those extra costs stemming from those controls to the buyer.

As I have also mentioned in the “A New Battle Plan” post, the passing of some of these controls will/might have the possibility of putting pressure on the Greenfield areas – especially the Southern Rural Urban Boundary.

The theory is (and is being sought after as a council opinion again to get that clarification) that any reduction in density on the Isthmus means the potential capacity for new houses on Brownfield land (currently standing at 240,000 – 280,000 depending on the split taken (70/30 or 60/40))) goes down. This mean to still build your potential 400,000 houses need (projected) they will need to either go into the Metropolitan Centres or Greenfield areas.

Now still running on the theory (Council take note please after the massive flap we got ourselves into over that 90% Prime Soils/RUB Tweet),Their could be a situation where the 160,000 potential dwellings on the Greenfield sites (the maximum 40% in the Auckland Plan) might no longer be enough. If this does prove true (I said PROVE – it is still a theory here) then Council will have to decide what to do as there will be two options:

  1. Remove the height limits off the Metropolitan Centres (won’t be happening in Newmarket as that got lowered from the potential 18 storeys/72 metres to 32 metres (8 storeys – same as the higher end Town Centres))
  2. More Greenfield land would be necessary – this means more sprawl

 

Again I have to stress as I know the Council Media Advisers would have a heart attack – this is a theory here. As a businessman and strategist I keep myself aware of such theories as they could either enhance or hurt both the bottom line or (if I am playing the social (family) card) my well-being in the city.

We shall see how this goes once I get replies back to my enquiries on the theory.

 

Voting Patterns

And now for the sake of the elections here are the voting records of the Councillors in regards to density controls and parking minimums. More voting records on aspects like the RUB are on their way:

Note that Councillor Goudie’s Motion was to have Parking Minimum’s further removed. Sadly the motion was defeated.

 

As a Social Liberal I am not one for having excessive planning controls placed on and in the Unitary Plan.

And I see a response has come back on the RUB. Will get that up ASAP.

 

More Unitary Plan Omnibus posts to come over the next few days.

 

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One thought on “Unitary Plan – Those Amendments on Density and Parking”

  1. In regards to Higher End Town Centres – I am referring to those that have the 8 Storey Height rule which Manurewa and Pakuranga are examples I can think of at the moment

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