The Dunedin City Council has been urged to balance personal cost with public benefit as it considers the fate of properties planned for heritage protection.
As part of proposed changes to the district plan, the council has identified 146 buildings which may be added to the heritage schedule.
At a hearing yesterday, commissioners Rob van Voorthuysen (chairman), Cr Sophie Barker and Cr Jim O’Malley heard 11 submissions on the planned changes.
Highgate property owner Stephen Christensen told the panel the resale value of his 1910s house could decrease by about 13% if it was scheduled and the council should agree to "top up’’ any future sale in exchange.
"If we can be assured that we will not be penalised when we come to sell in the next few years, we would not oppose the listing,’’ he said.
"After all, council acknowledges that listing provides a public benefit, so why should the cost of that be borne by private ratepayers?’
Cargill Castle trustee David Kiddey said while he was supportive of all the proposed buildings being added to the schedule, the council needed to extended some leniency to owners.
The proposed listings were "sensible additions’’ when viewed from the street "and that’s all we need, really. It doesn’t matter what goes on behind.’’
He suggested owners be allowed to make "reasonable changes’’ to their buildings while maintaining an aesthetic street view.
"If you’re driving down a nice street, that’s what you see, and that’s what makes it attractive. If you don’t know what’s behind those facades, it doesn’t matter.’’
Dunedin landlord Mark Thom opposed his six Central Dunedin properties being listed.
He said the council’s proposed changes were a "dirty wee trick’’ when proposed Resource Management Act reform from the National-led government could change how heritage properties are managed.
Mr van Voorthuysen said the council had to operate as the law stood.
Five people spoke during the University of Otago submission, opposing heritage protection for the Archway Lecture Theatres.
University vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said the theatres were not widely loved on campus and not part of the university’s future.
During consultation on plan change 1, the council received 132 submission related to heritage — 68 wanted the related submission accepted, 44 for the submission to be rejected, 15 asked for the change to be accepted with amendments and five submitters wanted a change amended if it was not rejected.
The hearing continues tomorrow and further changes to the district plan will be considered later in the year.
