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A property developer is fighting back against “far from reasonable” natural hazard provisions, which could impact future Sumner builds.
Boutique Living director Trent Brown is looking to build two double story residences at 50 Esplanade.
An application for a resource consent is currently being processed. The city council has supplied draft conditions on the development, one of which would require all residential activity to cease on the site within 12 months of 0.6m sea level rise.
The city council estimates it will take until 2080 for sea level rise to reach 0.6m.
All buildings, fences and structures would also be removed from the site.
Said Brown in email correspondence with city council: “Saying when the water reaches a certain height we must remove our house just because we built in 2026 or later is so far from reasonable I’m not sure what to say anymore.
“People don’t buy by the sea not knowing the dangers. Making someone remove our house is not a reasonable request or solution.”
Brown told the Bay Harbour News he is working with the city council to remove the conditions.
He is also awaiting the draft conditions for a single house build he is planning for 120a Esplanade.
Brown said he did not want to make any more comment until the city council had made a decision on any conditions for the development at 50 Esplanade.
City council head of planning and consents Mark Stevenson said new natural hazard provisions under the Resource Management Act require council to consider the effect of coastal inundation events.
This factors in sea level rise and how effects should be managed.
“Potential management and mitigation measures to address the risk of inundation will vary depending on the circumstances of the site and the nature of the proposal,” he said.
The considerations do not apply to development that is permitted under the District Plan, nor does it apply to areas not identified as being subject to hazards.
Any application lodged for resource consent after the natural hazard provisions came into affect in January could be affected.
Stevenson said Sumner is more likely to be affected by the new provisions due to the coastal hazards.
Caption: Boutique Living intends to build two residences at 50 Esplanade in Sumner. Photo: Geoff Sloan