The concept of a vibrant apartment style hub in Johnsonville has taken a step forward with the unanimous acceptance by Wellington City councillors of a Johnsonville design guide report released on the 15th of September. The City Life local newspaper reports that Councillor Iona Pannett, the Built Environment portfolio leader, has said that details are still in mediation, but the aim of the report is to constrain urban sprawl and reflect changes in what people consider to be an ideal home. The developments will be low level unlike the massive terrace housing typical of areas like Newtown.
The study, which resulted in the report, followed inital plans to allow apartment blocks to be built in late 2009. The change to the policy was strongly opposed at the time.
The current report highlights key issues including poor relationships of developments to streets, little or no landscaping, and dominant garages or vehicle access.
This report is consistent with the Council’s “growth spine” in Wellington’s urban development strategy. Johnsonville is a key amenity growth area being an open ended feeder suburb with easy access to State highway One, a dedicated electric rail line, and plenty of room for further suburban expansion on the hills to the North (Churton Park) and East (Hunters Hill, Woodridge).
If the changes to the District Plan is accepted, it allows building on land within the Medium Density area to 8m high and up to 10.4m as a discretionary (restricted) activity with 50% site coverage and no allowance needed for open space (MDRA1). Potentially this means 3-4 storey apartment blocks
Further Reading:
>have a read of the full report
>Wellington City Council Town Centre Plan
