Going for Housing Growth: Providing for urban development in the new resource management system
Minimum building heights to be enabled
The NPS-UD specifies that Tier 1 councils must enable building heights of at least six storeys in certain areas.[1] While the requirement is to enable ‘at least’ six storeys, in many cases councils have chosen to enable only up to six storeys. Regardless of the heights enabled in the plan, people can still usually choose to build to a lower height.[2] We propose that the new system similarly requires councils to apply a standardised zone that enables at least a specified height in certain areas.
We’ve heard anecdotal feedback that four-to-six storey developments are often not profitable to develop in many areas due to factors such as more expensive construction methods for taller buildings and the need to meet market demand for features such as elevators that add cost.
We’re seeking feedback on whether the requirement to enable at least six storeys in specific areas should be increased (for example, to eight or ten storeys) to make more medium-to-high density developments feasible in intensification areas.
[1] In metropolitan centre zones (Policy 3(b)), and within a walkable catchment of city and metropolitan centre zones, and existing and planned rapid transit stops (Policy 3(c)).
[2] Some plans currently have minimum height rules that trigger resource consents for construction under a certain height.