Three more special housing areas (SHAs) - including one which has more than doubled in yield - could be on the way for the Wakatipu after tomorrow's full Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting.
Earlier this year, SHAs proposed at Arthurs Point, Onslow Rd and Shotover Country, were supported in principle by the council.
The three areas would deliver almost 200 residential units.
In a report to the council, senior policy planner Kim Banks recommended the two former developments be recommended to Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith for establishment as SHAs, while district plan manager Matthew Paetz recommended Shotover Country also be put forward.
Since the Arthurs Point North proposal was last before the council, the proposal had been amended to provide a larger number of smaller units.
Thirty-four residential units had become 80, comprising a mix of apartments, compact house types and low-density housing.
''The revised design, while more intensive than the previous proposals, has been developed around a village concept, providing a range of housing types to reduce the cost of living and achieve `affordability by design'.''
Alternative and more cost-effective construction methods might also improve affordability, Ms Banks said.
The Onslow Rd proposal, for about 22 medium to low-density sections, was the same as what was presented to the council in June, but the developer also proposed one freehold lot of about 250sq m to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.
The trust was still discussing a proposal with the developer of the Arthurs Point SHA, Ms Banks' report said.
Meanwhile, Mr Paetz said the proposed Shotover Country SHA would deliver about 95 new residential allotments, including 51 ''medium-density'' lots.
Developers had an agreement with the housing trust for the transfer of land for up to six residential units or lots.
Mr Paetz said natural hazard risks might apply to that site and a letter of ''support in principle'' had not been obtained from the Otago Regional Council. It had concerns relating to potential flood and liquefaction risk and required further analysis.
Mr Paetz said it was unlikely ORC's concerns would be resolved before the SHA could be recommended to the minister and waiting for that might mean ''considerable delays''.
''Whilst the ORC response highlights important considerations for decision-making, it is considered that this response should not prevent recommending this SHA to the minister.''
Mr Paetz recommended the Shotover Country SHA be put forward to Dr Smith, with ''considerable opportunity'' for further analysis of ORC's concerns.
