Tauranga City Council is proposing to move forward with the establishment of a Special Housing Area in Bayfair.

At a meeting yesterday, council agreed to recommend to the Minister of Housing that a Special Housing Area (SHA) be established over the site at 73 Girven Road, Mount Maunganui, currently known as Golden Grove Kiwi Holiday Park.

The site currently known as Golden Grove Kiwi Holiday Park could be turned into special housing area.

'Establishing a SHA will allow the developer, SNG Investments No 2 Limited, to propose a more intensive form of mixed use development and make the best use of the site's size and location,” says communications advisor Emma Cotton.

'The proposed development would consist of approximately 66 two and three level townhouses and apartments, as well as a café and childcare facility.”

Council consulted with the neighbouring community on this proposal in December and received feedback from 42 parties.

The main concerns expressed by residents revolved around traffic and parking, the height of the proposed development and overshadowing, and potential flooding issues.

'The recommendation to the Minister of Housing will retain the prescribed height within the Suburban Residential Zone in the City Plan – which is 9m – with the exception of a location towards the centre of the area where height will be limited to 11.5m.

'The proposal includes setting the proposed higher buildings back by 11m to 14m from the site boundary, in order to reduce overshadowing and loss of residential amenity.”

Should the SHA be approved by the Minister of Housing, the developer would then be able to lodge a qualifying development with council to consider.

A qualifying development would need to include detailed information such as a traffic impact assessment and stormwater management.

The qualifying development lodged with the council will be assessed and considered on its own merits.