83 Hinemoa Street:
Up-dated drawings

UPDATED BY WARWICK JONES 17 DECEMBER 2007

ALL submitters on the application for resource consent: LH-2126227 83 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, should have received the up-dated drawings for this proposed development by now - if not, phone Joan Bartley, North Shore City Council, 486 8600.

The plan changes / updates primarily relate to the street frontage to accommodate traffic sight lines and conversion of ground floor units to retail use.

The latter simply brings these plans into line with the requirement that the ground floor be a minimum of 75% commercial. How and why this would be considered a commercial reality is beyond me. There will be virtually no parking for customers / clients let alone staff.

A feeling amongst many local Residents is that this is simply a ploy - complete the building, and after a period of time convert them back to residential units because they couldn't be let !

However, we need to give the developer the benefit of doubt AND trust that Council will place the appropriate covenants to ensure that this scenario never happens - RIGHT !

What happens next: Submitters will receive a letter from North Shore City Council advising the new Hearing dates and asking if you intend to attend (which you do) and how long you anticipate your presentation will take.

During the week before the Hearing, North Shore City Council will release the Officers report - a report on whether or not it should proceed.

In the meantime PLEASE check this web site regularly for updates - we appreciate its going to be a difficult time during the festive and holiday period. We all need to remain vigilant and alert to potential changes to this time line and other activities related to this (un)development of the area.

Can you help? We are in need of some additional legal assistance in a couple of key areas, if you have legal skills and a few hours to spare, then we would like to speak with you. Please phone Warwick Jones 419 5380.

 

Developer Ignores Heritage Guidelines !

Anyone who owns a Residential property in the area, and who has thought about, applied and / or completed renovations or extensions knows only too well the extent to which council enforce Heritage Protection / considerations.

These are some of the "Guidelines" that North Shore City Council offer in relation to protecting the Heritage nature of Birkenhead, Northcote and Devonport.

* The design and external appearance of the proposed building - it's form, mass, proportions and materials should be in keeping with the surrounding buildings and streetscape.
This proposed development does not.

* Roof forms should reflect earlier roof forms in the area.
This proposed development does not.

* The building should fit in with the traditional housing site layouts in the area, and maintain similar front and side yard positions.
This proposed development does not.

* New buildings should have sufficient space around them to reflect the character of the area.
This proposed development does not.

* Vehicle access and parking should complement the character of the neighbourhood.
This proposed development does not.

* Street frontages should reflect the character of the area.
This proposed development does not.

* Significant landscape planting should be conserved and front boundary fences and hedges retained or reinstated where possible.

So why does the developer think he can ignore the Heritage nature of the immediate area.
Simple. He / they are relying of the fact the land this development sits on is zoned Commercial. The developer is using the commercial nature of the site to construct a residential building, in a predominately residential area - a commercial building for residential use !

And, as Council have not allowed for Heritage protection, in their various plans, for Commercial zones within Heritage areas, he could get away with it.

Fortunately, the issue of 'Heritage' is just one element of the overall objection to this proposed development.

The Birkenhead Residents Association is not against development of this site. It's the magnitude to which this proposed development breaches the Heritage nature of the Birkenhead area and the level of residential intensification that is completely out of character for the location. (To name just two of our reasons for rejection of this proposed development.)

PLEASE, help us to protect the unique Heritage nature of the area - become financial a member today. Or, at least join our mailing list and stay up-to-date on this and other issues eroding your property value.