Following a hearing last week, resource consent has been granted to Adventure Consultants to operate from a house it owns at 20 Brownston St, which is in a high density residential zone opposite Wanaka's commercial core. The property will be significantly refurbished and landscaped to improve its appearance.
Company owner Guy Cotter needed more space for the business than provided at its existing McDougall St premises, which is in a low density residential zone.
The new site will function as the company's administrative headquarters and a base for some New Zealand trips, and will feature a small retail shop and signage.
The site's neighbour Jane Kuzma objected to the proposal, which she said would undermine the residential integrity of the neighbourhood and set a precedent for further commercial development.
However, Lakes Environmental planner Ian Greaves recommended consent be approved as the proposed activity and its associated additional levels of people and vehicle movements was compatible with the existing "busy" receiving environment, which featured a "significant level of non-residential elements including both in the town centre zone and within the high density residential zone".
Mrs Kuzma said she was "disappointed" with the decision, but did not comment further.
Mr Cotter was travelling to Nepal yesterday and unavailable for comment.
Mr Greaves said he was asked by commissioners Jane Taylor and Lyal Cocks to verbally advise Mr Cotter and Mrs Kuzma of their decision to grant resource consent, which would not become effective until an official decision was issued in writing within the next couple of weeks.
