21 November 2000

Business Zone Apartment Dwellers “Generally Happy”, Auckland City Survey Shows

Apartment dwellers in Auckland City’s Business zones are generally happy with where they live although many do not understand what Business zone regulations mean.

A survey of around 350 households within the zones has shown that many residents are pleased with the building or unit they live in, place high importance on urban design guidelines and are positive about future residential development in their area.

However, many have limited awareness that they are living in a Business zone and do not know what the zoning means in terms of regulations and future development which may impact on their lifestyle.

Planning and Regulatory committee chair Juliet Yates says the residents surveyed want to protect the things they enjoy and their quality of life but often have incorrect assumptions about the level of protection offered by existing controls.

“They tend to be satisfied with what they see, not with what could be,” Cr Yates said. “They are not being given the full picture when they build or buy in these areas and we will be drawing this to the attention of the Real Estate Institute and the Law Society because their members advise potential purchasers.”

The council will also carry out more surveys and site analysis within the Business zones to determine how it can best balance business and residential needs within the areas, Cr Yates says.

“This work will be important for the future because the city faces an increasing population and many of these people will be apartment dwellers,” she added.

“We need to ensure that policies and rules are in place to enable quality environments close to work, entertainment and recreation. Some residents are concerned that current rules lack adequate controls for natural light and density and these are the kinds of things we will have to look at.

“By ensuring that people who live in or near Business zones have high amenity and design controls, we can maintain the vitality of the city for future generations.”

ENDS

For further information
Please contact Cr Juliet Yates
Telephone 528 0581 or 025 289 0623

© Scoop Media