Waipā wants to hit pause on a controversial housing intensification plan but the legislation which would allow them to do so is not yet in place.
The coalition Government agreed to make Medium Density Residential Standards optional for councils as part of its 100 day action plan and Going for Housing Growth policy.
Waipā’s Plan Change 26 would enable three houses, up to three storeys high, to be built on a site, and aims to increase housing around the district.
Housing intensification plans to go on hold.
The council was to notify the government of its planning process by March 31.
District Plan and Growth manager Wendy Robinson asked councillors this week to request a delay until February 27 next year.
That would allow time to consider the wider implications and signal any changes of legislation which would apply to Plan Change 26.
The council’s independent hearing panel was due to provide the council with recommendations for consideration by councillors at their March 27 meeting.
The process was not an opportunity to review the merits of the plan change or impose standards.
“By waiting for the legislation to be changed, there will be more information to assist council in making its decision,” she said.
Penny Simmonds
Waipā will work with Hamilton City Council and make a joint request to Environment Minister Penny Simmonds to put the process on hold.
Robinson said without knowing how any new legislation would look, it was difficult to know what the council could do.
“However, we assume that council may be able to review Plan Change 26 and in doing so fully consider … if the mandatory standards are fit-for-purpose in our residential zone.”
Waikato District Council has already decided to proceed with the March 31 date while Hamilton had already obtained an extension until December due to flood hazard work.
