Compromise in sight over Kerikeri high-rise

A land purchase is to be negotiated in a move to resolve community concerns over a planning loophole which led to proposals for a multi-storey commercial development in central Kerikeri.


The developer of the partially-built Butler Centre has offered the compromise as a way forward in a long-standing impasse over height restrictions for the second stage of the development. The company has offered to abandon the second stage of their project in total if the council purchases the area of the development site earmarked for this purpose.


Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp says if negotiations are successful this will be a win-win situation for all parties. Community concerns over the proposed height of the second stage of development will be mitigated and additional off street carparking can be provided in central Kerikeri.


“The developer can withdraw from stage two without a loss on investment, and the council will be in a position to recover the land purchase cost through a joint venture with Far North Holdings Ltd,” council Chief Executive Clive Manley says.


The council initiated a Plan Change to introduce specific height controls in the Kerikeri central business district last year after the community reacted strongly against a Resource Consent issued to the development company which allowed a multi-storey development on the Butler-Kerikeri Roads junction at the entrance to the town.


About the same time the development company and the council signed a Memorandum of Understanding in an attempt to reach a compromise which would lead to a voluntary reduction in the height of the commercial development to satisfy community concerns.


Mr Manley said a sale and purchase agreement had still to be negotiated. But if a satisfactory agreement could be reach with the developer, it would open the way for the land to be redeveloped in conjunction with the adjoining council-owned carpark off Homestead Road.


“The council has already been discussing with Far North Holdings Ltd the potential for a joint venture involving a commercial development and carparking on the land we already own. If negotiations are successful, this would enlarge the area available for this purpose, with dual access from both Butler and Homestead Roads,” he said.


Mr Manley said the project could be achieved at potentially no cost to ratepayers if land purchase negotiations were successful.