In day one of the hearing into the council's proposed harbourside district plan change, its three notices of requirement and plan change to the Otago Regional Plan: Coast, Ms Reeves said she had concerns about the magnitude of new investment needed and the feasibility of development in parts of the proposed scheme, particularly given the fragmented leasehold relationship and the intended controls.
"I am not convinced that the vision in its entirety is an environmentally responsive and sustainable design solution."
She also held concerns about the compatibility of the vision with the "industrial context" and configuration of allotments on either side of Mason St.
The initiative could be described as good urban design, but changes needed to be made, she said.
She recommended stage two of the scheme, which covered streets further away from the harbour, be removed from the plan as she was concerned the level of controls proposed would inhibit development, rather than encourage it.
Stage two could "drag" on the viability of the first stage, which had a greater chance of success without it, she said in response to questions from the panel.
"The area of stage one is probably enough for a city of Dunedin's size to sustain. The whole plan change is too big for Dunedin in comparison to its size."
Heritage architect David Pearson, who also appeared for the council, said the proposed plan change would achieve its intended purpose.
He supported an extra nine buildings be included in the schedule of buildings to be protected.
However, he believed other buildings with heritage values should be afforded some level of protection.
