Case Study - Karapiro Heights

The Karapiro Heights Rural-Residential subdivision is an example of the creation of lifestyle lots on the poorer quality soils of the District. The landowners took an alternative approach to the design of their proposed subdivision. Rather than trying to fit the lots into the “controlled activity” criteria in the District Plan, the philosophy adopted was based on the Resource Management Act provisions. This involved evaluating the properties natural and physical characteristics and designing lots which minimised environmental effects, while providing the optimum use of the diverse land resource.

This approach meant that the proposed subdivision became a non-complying activity in respect of the District Plan and required public notification. The physical limitations of the property included:

• Two plateau areas separated by a steep bank
• Significant native bush stands
• A line of borrow pits in an east west direction across the southern side of the block and an historic pa site.

The lots were designed to protect these physical attributes of the land, while enabling the creation of lots suitably sized for farming, horticulture or any other intensive land use including a building platform for a dwelling. The applicant’s proposed subdivision was designed to provide 12 lots of varying sizes with extensive views over Lake Karapiro and its environments, at the same time as preserving the natural features of the land.

The bush stands and archaeological sites (pa and borrow sites) have been specifically included as part of the subdivision consent conditions so that the new landowners and any future landowners will be aware of their obligations to protect these sites.