Most of Mt Victoria to be zoned for high density development

Most of Mt Victoria to be zoned for high density development

Mt Victoria is on track for massive changes to its streetscape, if amendments to the District Plan put forward by councillors are accepted by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop.

The new planning rules will permit high rise developments of 22 metres (6-7 stories) to be built along most of Austin Street, the majority of Brougham, Hawker and Majoribanks Streets, and all of Ellice and Paterson Streets.

Only much reduced character and heritage areas are exempt, with those heights set at 11 metres, along with other conditions.

Although independent commissioners reviewing the proposed District Plan recommended that the new plan should retain 73% of the Mt Victoria character area, Wellington councillors took the unusual step of rejecting the recommendations made after nearly a year of consultation and hearings.

Instead, councillor amendments would see character areas in the suburb reduced to 37%.

Mt Victoria has a character area of 49.8 hectares in the operative (current) District Plan.  Just 18.2 hectares will retain this protection following councillor amendments, compared to 36.6 hectares if the recommendations made by the independent commissioners had been accepted.

The character area designation means any house built before 1930 requires a resource consent to be demolished, and a design guide provides direction about how the replacement should fit with the surrounding area.

Although the final call on the amendments put up by councillors is supposed to be made by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, the RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has said publicly he will make the decision.

Bishop says he will be following ‘a very careful process’ where he considers Council’s recommendations, and takes advice from officials.  That advice is expected to be received in the middle of April, with a decision by the end of the month.

Moir Street

Among the shocks to local residents has been the council’s decision to reject measures that would have kept historic Moir Street from being overshadowed by high developments along its Hania Street boundary.

While commissioners recommended a 15 metre building height where Hania street borders Moir Street, councillors voted to make this 28.5 metres instead.

Moir Street residents said they were very disappointed with the decision.

“The Moir Street collective have felt unheard over the last three years, with the councillors voting against the IHP recommendations.  This will allow 28.5m right next to our heritage street creating a mass dominance effect that cannot be mitigated through design.”

What do the real estate agents think?

Real estate agents Just Paterson, who have a long history of buying and selling in Mt Victoria, say it’s difficult to predict what the changes will do to the market locally:

“The reality is that most properties in Mt Victoria are too expensive to demolish and then build on again.  Combine that with the ever-increasing building costs, and we think there will be minimal effect on the Mt Victoria property market.  But, we would anticipate seeing an increase in land values for some properties that might be suitable for development where there is a flat piece of land with a low value residence on it.  We will gain a better understanding of the market in the coming months as more sales occur in various zoned areas. This data will provide valuable insights into how the changes in zoning are influencing property values and development potential. Factors like the loss of sun, views and privacy, could also affect the value of your home.”