What are the Mixed Housing Suburban and Urban zones in Auckland, and How Does It Affect Development?
The Mixed Housing Suburban and Urban zones are the most widespread zone for residential homes in Auckland. However, because this zone contains different kinds of housing and plenty of features, developing a lot in this kind of zone can prove to be a challenge.
It’s essential to understand what these kind of housing zones are, and how it affects land development projects and what you can do to improve your chances of achieving your goals.
What Is A Mixed Housing Suburban or Urban Zone?
The Mixed Housing Suburban zone allows for detached, semi-detached and terrace-style housing. Houses are generally limited to being up to two storeys tall. This zone has an increase in density when compared to other locations, usually having two to three dwellings per site.
Mixed Housing Urban zones support more intensive development than Suburban zones. Buildings can be taller, set closer to the street, and cover a larger portion of the site, leaving less space for landscaping. This zoning encourages a denser, more urban feel that supports walkability and efficient land use.
In both zones, sites with more than three dwellings must be assessed for a resource consent application.
These zones are meant to provide a variety of residential housing types and developments. The Suburban Mixed Housing zone is less intensive than the Mixed Housing Urban housing zone, but more permissive than single-house zones.
These housing zones encourage better land efficiency, increasing housing density and making better use of the space for Auckland residents.
How Mixed Housing Suburban and Urban Zones Affect Land Development Projects
If you’re planning to develop a site in one of these housing zones, you must be prepared to work with the unique features and restrictions of these zones:
Greater Housing Density. Developers are allowed to build more than one dwelling per lot, depending on the design of dwellings and compliance restrictions. As always, make sure each building complies with local building and zoning regulations.
The increased number of dwellings will affect planning matters regarding site layout, privacy measures, accessways and vehicle areas. You must make sure that you plan for your site’s layout to make good use of your available land – ensure you use your land well, but don’t overcrowd the space. Close quarters may make privacy difficult, so plan your layout and buildings in a way that ensures each home enjoys a suitable level of privacy. Of course, ensure vehicles can safely be driven and parked in appropriate areas, and appropriate pedestrian access is provided.
Having multiple dwellings on one lot can greatly increase your return on development, utilising a single lot to create several houses to use, rent out or sell.
Increased Infrastructure Needs. More dwellings mean a stronger demand on infrastructure, including water, wastewater and stormwater systems. When developing new structures, you may need to upgrade or install new infrastructure.
If this is the case for your project, work with experienced civil engineers who have previously handled suburban mixed housing developments. They will help you meet Auckland Council design standards.
Complex Consent Requirements. Always ensure all of your work is permitted according to Auckland’s regulations and mixed housing zone requirements, and get resource consent when needed Mixed Housing Urban Zone.
You must navigate overlays, height limitations and more when designing new structures in this housing zone. Collaborate with professionals who specialise in land development planning and engineering to reduce delays and increase chances of approval.
What To Do When Planning A Mixed Housing Suburban Or Mixed Housing Urban Development Project
These land development projects can be complicated, and it’s best to handle things thoughtfully while navigating local planning and building regulations. What should you do?
Get In Touch With Professionals. Planners and engineers who are familiar with and who have worked with mixed housing sites can save time and money. They can provide you with guidance regarding compliance and building multiple dwellings on one lot.
Ask your professionals about the services they handle and how they can support you throughout the project. For example, can they conduct boundary or topographical surveys so you can better understand your land? Will they be able to help you with resource consent applications?
Have A Feasibility Study Conducted. Before you begin planning anything, you must assess the potential of your site and understand what your limits are. Discuss your ideas and plans with professionals to determine if they are feasible under the Auckland Unitary Plan.
For example, if you plan on creating a vacant area by subdividing your site, each new site must be at least 400 square metres, in the Mixed Housing Suburban Zone and 300 Square metres on the Mixed Housing Urban Zone.
If your plans don’t fit your site, then you can either modify your plans, or our experienced professionals can talk through with you how you might be able to achieve the outcome you want.
Consider Future-Proofing Designs. You may decide to develop this site again in the future. Consider designs that are open to growth and long-lasting resilience.
For example, think about stormwater systems and utility connections that can be easily changed in the future to handle more dwellings.
Adapting Your Development Plans For A Mixed Housing Suburban or Urban Zone
We invite you to reach out to us at Fluker Surveying if you’re searching for expert advice regarding surveying, planning, land development, civil engineering and more.
Getting started is simple; find our contact information online or call 027 454 3090.
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