Zoning for denser site use sought

The rezoning of the Jacks Point residential block could mean more than 2400 homes built in the area if one Australian company's proposal is approved today.

The southern half of the Jacks Point site comprising 520ha has been bought by the Australian-owned RCL Queenstown Pty Ltd. The company is now seeking to rezone for residential development on the site, located between Kelvin Heights and the Devils Staircase.

The land was zoned 10 years ago as part of the Jacks Point resort, and while a development plan was approved in 2009, no development has since occurred.

Today, at the Queenstown Lakes District Council strategy meeting, councillors will be asked to approve a private plan change to rezone the area again to the new special zone, Henley Downs.

Plan change 44 requests that the council enables a ''significantly denser residential development'', meaning bumping the maximum of 1364 residential homes to 2426.

RCL proposes that urban activity areas ''absorb development'' beyond the ''open space'' or ''golf'' activity of Jacks Point.

''The proposal is considered to enable beneficial economic effects ... desirable outcomes will be achieved and promoting a wider range of housing choice.

''The plan change request is considered to result in minor effects on the landscape when viewed from public places, private residences and places frequented by the public.''

The company also wishes to remove the mandatory requirement for commercial activity within the village area and instead enable commercial and other non-residential activities to establish.

A new entrance to Henley Downs would come from Woolshed Rd off State Highway 6 and connect also to Jacks Point if the plan change is approved.

RCL seeks to reduce overall compliance costs for those building within the zone by replacing a rule that requires every dwelling to obtain a controlled resource consent with design-based standards and instead increase design control over multi-unit developments in order to achieve a ''higher level of amenity and quality''.

Council policy and planning general manager Philip Pannett has recommended the council's strategy committee accept the plan change.

The private plan change request outlined as on March 1 states the site will have community benefits, open space and recreation opportunities.