A planning error on the part of the developers has forced the Mount Maunganui apartment complex at Eleven Maunganui Road back to the Tauranga City Council hearing committee.
The 61 unit apartment complex as consented does not meet fire safety requirements – a condition of the Tauranga City Council’s original consent.
In order to comply with fire safety the developer has had to change some of the landscaping and accesses. A 900mm wide fire escape path is required on a balcony originally required to be landscaped and restricted for access.
Clearing a fire safety path out of the complex has also resulted in other cosmetic changes.
Planted ground cover on the level 1 balcony has been replaced with artificial turf. Hedges have had to be altered and specimen plantings changed.
Council planners’ opinion is the alterations to the landscaping continue to protect the amenity of adjoining properties and do not affect the “high rise residential character of the site and surrounding area” and that they have only a minor visual affect.