The wording might be "predominantly residential" but Queenstown-Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden made it clear yesterday any proposal at all for the Lakeview site in Queenstown would be considered.
Meeting in Wanaka, the district council agreed to a list of objectives for the long-term lease of the 4ha site - once part of the Queenstown Motor Camp - at the top of Man St.
Crs Simon Stamers-Smith and Lyal Cocks questioned the wording, asking why the site was not zoned to allow for commercial purposes. Ms van Uden said there was an "overarching drive" for residential use but with the flexibility to allow for commercial use.
Cr Cocks said the site was one of Queenstown's prime sites and the council wanted to "get the best out of it".
He also queried the 120-year lease the council planned to offer.
Cr Mel Gazzard suggested leasing the land might lead to "less attractive" forms of housing with "less commitment" from owners other than those who wanted to build and rent or sub-lease.
Cr Leigh Overton said the previous council made a "very firm decision" to offer the land as leasehold. Mayor van Uden, however, signalled the council might be open to other options.
"We are going out for expressions of interest, to test the market, to see what's out there."
The council plans to ask for expressions of interest by August 20.
