The first proposal to subdivide the recently rezoned Kirimoko block in Wanaka into residential housing has been received by Lakes Environmental planning staff but because it contains some non-complying elements, it needs to go to a public hearing.
Crescent Investments Ltd is a company associated with John May, well-known in Wanaka for advocating sustainable environments, and the Church family, of Ashburton.
The developers want to create 38 residential lots and a space for a child care centre on about 4ha, next to the Holy Family School.
It is stage one of a multi-stage development over about 12ha.
The company represents three of 13 lot owners in the 58.5ha Kirimoko block of former farmland that is now almost completely surrounded by existing or consented developments.
The other landowners have not yet revealed their development plans.
The block was recently rezoned from rural general to low density residential and a development structure plan is in place.
The zone's minimum section size is 700sq m but Crescent Investments wants to reduce some sections to 300sq m to 450sq m.
The average lot size will increase to 650sq m when future sections under Crescent Investments' control are developed.
Specific exemptions are also being sought in relation to height, bulk and location rules.
The developers are seeking a higher density than the rules permit because they want to respond to a shift in social and demographic trends.
A report by urban design company Morgan Pollard says the booming real estate market in the last 10 to 15 years resulted in urban sprawl and property had been affordable only to those in higher socio-economic groups.
Now, the community wanted a more balanced approach to development, wants to hide sprawl and was encouraging low and middle-income earners to buy property and stay in town.
The stage 1 plan is to provide a cluster of affordable housing around the Holy Family School, and larger sections will be created as the development expands back on to higher ground.
Public and private landscaping is a key element but the most critical component is that landowners will be restricted from subdividing their sections in the future.
The developers want to encourage adherence to building guidelines and will appoint a Kirimoko Crescent design panel to review building designs to ensure fairness, the resource consent application states.
