Affordability part of private plan change

A Wanaka developer will be "encouraged'' to enter talks about providing affordable housing in any new residential subdivision after a private plan change was adopted this week.

Plan change 46 - Ballantyne Rd, was first mooted by Allan Dippie's Orchard Road Holdings Ltd in August 2013 and publicly notified in March last year.

It sought to rezone about 19ha of land south and west of the existing Ballantyne Rd industrial areas from rural general to low-density residential and "Industrial B''.

The rezoning would expand the existing industrial area by 2.5ha and introduce a new low-density residential area of 13.3ha.

It is understood no designs have been provided at this stage showing how many sections the plan would involve.

Commissioners Andrew Henderson and Calum MacLeod recommended the plan change be accepted in part, subject to minor amendments.

They found the plan change would provide a consolidated industrial area meeting long-term demand within the urban growth boundary.

"The residential area proposed in the plan change will assist in providing for the ongoing needs of the Wanaka community.''

However, Queenstown Lakes District Community Housing Trust executive officer Julie Scott told district councillors in Queenstown on Thursday the trust was concerned the plan change made no provision for affordable housing.

"It doesn't seem to deal with it adequately at all.''

Ms Scott said a stakeholder deed was already in place, signed by the developer, that had a provision for community housing "regardless of the plan change as it stands''.

"The stakeholder's deed is still live, it's been executed and he's signed it, so I'd expect council to make sure he [honours] that.''

Cr Ella Lawton said one of the few ways the council could influence the development of community housing was in a plan change.

She referred to plan change 24 - affordable and community housing, made operative in 2013.

It introduced affordable housing into district plan policies, so it became a relevant matter when plan changes or variations were proposed or resource consent applications were considered and, where appropriate, required the delivery of affordable housing.

"I guess this outcome ... in terms of the [commissioners' decision] is that that hasn't been effective, particularly in terms of community housing.

"What we'd really like to see is the developers work with us, and the community, to ensure ... not only first buyers are getting value, but affordability continues [for future owners].''

Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the developer had signed a deed over the land, which included a contribution to the housing trust, as part of plan change 36 - Wanaka industrial zoning extension.

Plan change 46 increased the land area and it had no requirement for a contribution to the trust.

While the council would adopt the commissioners' decision, "we will look to encourage the developer ... to have further discussions with the housing trust,'' she said.

An amendment to the recommendation was passed, which was to review the community housing trust mechanism as part of the second stage of the district plan review and to encourage the developer to enter discussions with the housing trust to provide community housing.

Cr Mel Gazzard voted against both of the amendments.

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