Council changes bring protest

The company behind a 25-lot residential development set to take shape at the former Waldronville school and playcentre site has objected to conditions imposed by the Dunedin City Council.

Morclarke Developments (2009) Ltd was granted a subdivision consent last month allowing the creation of 25 residential lots over two stages, ranging in size from 527sq m to 1123sq m.

However, the company filed an objection on February 14, arguing some of the conditions attached to the consent were ''too prescriptive''.

The objections will be considered by the council's hearings committee - Crs Andrew Noone (chairman), Jinty MacTavish and Lee Vandervis - on Monday.

A report by council planner Lianne Darby said the developer proposed a new road ending in a T-shaped cul-de-sac, with a footpath running along one side of the road only.

The council wanted a cul-de-sac ''head'' and footpaths running along both sides of the proposed road, as well as an 8m-wide road, and no parking on the new road.

The developer was to provide plans to council transportation group manager Gene Ollerenshaw for approval.

However, the developer, in objecting to the consent conditions, argued the topography of the area meant the requirements could not be met without ''extensive'' use of retaining walls or steps in the footpath.

Neither option was considered desirable for the ''form, function or cost'' of the subdivision, Ms Darby's report said.

Instead, the developer wanted the conditions rewritten to allow a road wide enough ''for two moving vehicle lanes'', but with no set width included, and some limited on-street parking.

Footpath provisions should also be ''appropriate'' for the level of residential development, and with enough room in the cul-de-sac to allow an emergency vehicle to turn.

Ms Darby's report said both sides wanted a ''good quality outcome'', but council transportation staff maintained a T-shaped cul-de-sac was not warranted and could be costly for the council to maintain.

There was also no justification for the loss of one footpath, and it would be more costly to add a second footpath later, her report said.

However, Ms Darby's report recommended the council hearings committee accept part of the developer's objection, by removing the requirement for the new road to be 8m wide, while maintaining other conditions.

The development of the site comes after the school closed in April 2010, faced with declining rolls, followed by the playcentre in mid-2012.

The 2.02ha property had a combined capital value of $1,165,000 when sold; the school's buildings were levelled by mechanical excavators last December. Companies Office records list Garry Clarke and Lloyd Morshuis as the directors of Morclarke Developments (2009) Ltd.

 

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