Dunedin City Council staff and the developers of a new subdivision in Waldronville say they can agree to a compromise on roading issues to allow the project to go ahead.
Paterson Pitts Partners, acting on behalf of Morclarke Developments, objected to a condition in the consent issued in February because it was too ''prescriptive''.
The 25-lot subdivision is on the former Waldronville School site.
Leon Hallet, of Paterson Pitts, began a hearing on the matter yesterday by expressing the company's concern that details of the final design were better left to the approval/liaison process than being prescribed in conditions, objections to which required a formal hearing.
But council staff told the meeting they recommended the condition because it seemed agreement would not be reached.
The condition related to a requirement for a round cul de sac, and a footpath on both sides of the street, which the council felt would be safer.
Mr Hallet said the applicant opposed that because it felt a second footpath was not needed, the T-shaped cul de sac would allow both circular turning for most vehicles and easier access to properties, and the condition would require a large retaining wall be built.
In the end, staff and Mr Hallet said, if the committee agreed, they could agree to a compromise of a round cul de sac and footpaths on both sides, as long as the footpaths and carriageway were narrower than set at present, so a retaining wall was not required and the whole area was not covered in non-permeable surfaces.
The hearings committee of Crs Andrew Noone, Kate Wilson and Lee Vandervis has reserved its decision.
