A dangerous building notice has been issued for the Dainty
Dairy building.
People complain if "holes" appear in the city centre,
which is why the Dunedin City Council requires building owners
to retain or replace building structures, city development
manager Anna Johnson says.
Dr Johnson responded to Alistair Broad's criticisms that he
had been advised he could not demolish his unsafe building,
the former Dainty Dairy in Stuart St, because of the district
plan's protection of the townscape.
Mr Broad said the council was acting as "King Canute",
resisting a "tide" of worn out buildings in Dunedin, which
were potentially a danger, because of the wish to retain the
townscape.
Pointing out that Mr Broad had not applied for consent to
demolish, Dr Johnson acknowledged Stuart St was part of the
district plan's townscape area and building owners were
required to replace or devise a "treatment" for a site to
avoid gaps if they demolished a building.
Otherwise, "it does create holes in the urban fabric".
The requirement was part of owning a central city business,
and the council received complaints about vacant sections if
they did appear.
Dr Johnson rejected Mr Broad's claim the council was more
concerned about retaining the townscape than public safety.
Mr Broad has been issued with a dangerous building notice and
must fix up the building, part of which is in danger of
collapse, by May 9.
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