7 May 2024
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Apartment development in Pukuatua Street
Enquiry
I have just spoken with Craig Elliott whose business is next door to these new apartments and he is questioning how a consent was granted that effectively sees bedroom windows close to footpaths. He said this:
"It was not an ideal consenting process on the council's behalf because effectively you have bedroom windows opening up on to pavements in the CBD. The thought process behind this model was weak and I'm not sure how the council allowed it."
We are publishing this story asap. Can I ask if the council would like to respond to that comment above.
Can the council also please answer this question?
Would the current consent for this building allow the owners to use it for emergency housing, transitional housing, or any other Government-funded temporary housing arrangements?
I believe Jean-Paul Gaston has background knowledge about these apartments and has been in discussions with Craig about them so I suggest he is the person to ask.
Response
From Rotorua Lakes Council Group Manager Community and District Development – Jean-Paul Gaston:
Currently the consent does not allow for the building to be used for emergency housing or transitional housing. In regard to the development overall, under the previous rules of our District Plan, Council could not decline the development which included units on the ground floor and the front of the building. With the building soon to open the Council’s Compliance Team will continue to monitor its use.
Note: we re-sent reporter the land use resource consent which points to the fact that Council added a provision in the consent that the building could not be used for emergency housing.