Sale of $2m house puts spotlight on density push

The Herald this month reported resident groups saying large swathes where single houses sit on a single site could be rezoned to allow developments with no density controls. Photo / Doud Sherring

A large residential site in the heart of Mt Albert could easily contain 15 or 16 well-designed town houses and units instead of three large houses, says a community housing leader.

Peter Jeffries says the sale of a bungalow on a spacious 2364sq m site shows the merits of rethinking density controls to provide greater intensification in the city's leafy house-and-garden suburbs.

The Herald this month reported resident groups saying large swathes where single houses sit on a single site could be rezoned to allow developments with no density controls.

They said the new position was a "sea change in the planning of Auckland", while others such as youth lobby group Generation Zero want "density done well" in inner suburbs.

Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse said there was no intention to reduce the size of the "single house" zone in the Unitary Plan.

Mr Jeffries, chief executive of CORT, which provides housing for people on very low incomes, said the single house and other large lot zones in the Unitary Plan make up 45 per cent of Auckland. "The outcome of the single-house zone is that if you are single, on a low to medium income or elderly you are not going to be able to afford to rent or buy a house in the single-house zone."

He said the house and section at 840 New North Rd was being marketed to developers who could build at most three dwellings on the land under current zoning rules.

With a valuation of $1.94 million and a likely sale price of more than $2 million a buyer would need to build two large five-bedroom homes to make a return on investment, Mr Jeffries said. The well-positioned site could easily contain 15 or 16 well designed, quality 1, 2 and 3-bedroom townhouses or units.

Under the new Unitary Plan, the property is zoned essentially the same as now.

"By not allowing intensification in these areas you limit development within the city, maintain pressure on land prices, place pressure on other areas to accommodate growth and limit choice within the limited density zoned areas," Mr Jeffries said.

Sir Harold Marshall, chairman of the Mt Albert Residents Association, said the group was waiting to see what was finally proposed by way of residential zoning.

The New North Rd property is due to go to auction today.

City zoning

• Large property for sale in Mt Albert.
• Currently zoned for three houses.
• Community housing provider says site could take 16 townhouses/units if rezoned.
• Mt Albert Residents Association waiting for details of new zoning.