A six hectare section between Caernarvon Drive and the driveway to the pools, library and community centre will be developed. Photo / Paul Taylor
A six hectare section between Caernarvon Drive and the driveway to the pools, library and community centre will be developed. Photo / Paul Taylor
Undeveloped land in Flaxmere's town centre could become housing or commercial tenancies such as government agencies, tertiary education, health centres and iwi offices. Or it could become a mix of both.
Hastings District Council is asking the public to share their views on what an empty 6 hectare council-owned blockof land could be used for.
The section is to the west of the town centre between Caernarvon Drive and the driveway to the pools, library and community centre.
Three options have been put forward for residents to have their say on.
Option one would see the entire block of land being developed for residential use as 80 housing units including standalone houses and apartment blocks, up to three-storeys high.
The second option would mean the northern area of the land was developed for commercial use and open space and the rest for 31 residential units including standalone, duplex and terrace houses.
Option three would develop the northern area into part-commercial, part-residential with the rest of the land used for stand-alone, duplex and apartment housing – with a total of 48 units.
All of the scenarios have room for carparking, ease of access to the surrounding roading network including a new north-south link road to the east, and the option for an open space area which could include a children's playground if this was wanted.
While the options don't specify what the commercial tenants would be, the council says in addition to housing, other possible uses could include government agencies, tertiary education facilities, health centres and iwi offices.
There are three different proposed options for the piece of land. Image / Hastings District Council
It's a golden opportunity says Flaxmere Councillor Henare O'Keefe who would personally like to see a mix of residential and commercial use.
"The Flaxmere community have seen that land lying there dormant for many years basically doing nothing and attracting at times some untoward activity.
"Instead of the land lying there dormant let's make it work for the population of Flaxmere."
O'Keefe likes the idea of a residential-commercial mix but is not personally a fan of high-density housing, instead wanting homes which have green space between them.
The development of housing he hopes, like others in Flaxmere, will bring new people into the suburb to live.
In terms of commercial development, businesses and organisations coming to the area are also beneficial for the community, employment and existing businesses, he said.
"The closer to home we can bring these services, the education and the like, the better."
A council spokesperson said the council has no preference in relation to the three options or any other ideas.
So far, 27 submissions have been received.
O'Keefe is encouraging people to have their say.
"I've always said that Flaxmere is an opportunity not a liability.
"Come and have a say about what you would like your community to look like moving forward. Come with an open mind. It's our time Flaxmere - the season is nigh."
An open day is being held on Saturday at the Flaxmere Community Centre from 10am to 1pm and submissions can be made until October 26 at www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz
