More than 100 properties could be listed as character-contributing buildings under the Dunedin City Council’s proposed second-generation plan.
If the proposals are adopted, any changes made to the exterior of buildings visible from the street or a neighbouring public place would require resource consent.
New buildings visible from a neighbouring public place would also require consent and would have some sort of design control, though they would not need to be heritage replicas.
A reconvened hearing on the proposed Fernhill and City Rise heritage precincts and the addition of parts of Dundas St to the Castle St heritage precinct was held yesterday. Southern Heritage Trust representative Meg Davidson told commissioners the proposed precincts recognised the social and cultural importance of the areas and they needed to be protected as soon as possible.
But unless the council took a proactive approach to educate property owners and help subsidise consent costs and good design, there was a risk buildings would be demolished before the plan became operative.
A moratorium needed to be placed on the demolition of buildings in the proposed precincts until the planning process was completed, she said.
There had already been an increase in the number of character buildings being demolished or altered and there was the potential for that to be accelerated if the owners were left in the dark.
Second-generation plan hearings panel chairman David Collins said the panel had no power make those suggestions happen but it would suggest more information be made available for property owners.
Ms Davidson also wanted the proposed precincts extended to include more character buildings and was disappointed there would not be one in the Queen St, Union St and Park St area.
Commissioner and city councillor Aaron Hawkins questioned whether property owners would go to the trouble and considerable cost of demolishing buildings to avoid the relatively minor cost of a resource consent application.
Ms Davidson said her feeling was there would be more demolitions as property owners became aware of the council’s plans.
Issues with the proposed extension of the Castle St precinct into parts of Dundas St were also raised during the hearing.
University of Otago planner and policy adviser Murray Brass said the proposal would act as a disincentive to improvements on designated character buildings.
In the case of the university, it would add significant additional cost over time and could affect the timing of works and what could be done.
The university was mostly in agreement with council on the importance of heritage to the city but its main priority was to have safe, healthy and warm accommodation available for students.
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Its time this city valued its heritage. Its what visitors from glass cities around the world love. Watch them walking around gazing up and photographing the grand and humble homes and public buildings. Not something they can do where they come from. Character and human scale has gone from so many cities as the world population increases. Dunedin is unique and we must smarten up what we have, not destroy it.
Absolutely. The historical parts of Dunedin need preserved. Look at what Oamaru has managed to do with its old main street now being a heritage trail.
Many things come into this. To keep the buildings these days they have to be made quake safe that costs... sad state of affairs .