This resulted in another compromise being put forward by Mr Brown for a 200sq m minimum house sites greater than 1200sq m, and no density limits on sites greater than 2500sq m.
At today's meeting, council officers came back with a 2000sq m site triggering no density limits.
They also changed the language to describe density controls. They went from "no density controls'' in the draft Unitary Plan to "flexible density''.
Mr Brown said he did not sense support from councillors and unease from Local Board chairs for no density controls and withdrew his amendment.
Manurewa Local Board chairwoman Angela Dalton said the density controls were appalling.
Plans for reduced outdoor living and density were not going to work in South Auckland, she said, where the average family size was 6.5 people.
"The writing is on the wall,'' Ms Dalton said.
She said she was happy with the mixed housing suburban before Mr Brown introduced the 200sq m minimum dwelling size.
"I will now be advocating for the single house zone in suburbs like Wattle Downs and Weymouth,'' she said.
Councillor Sandra Coney said there were good examples of big scale, good quality developments, such as Beaumont Quarter in Freemans Bay with facilities like a gym and swimming pool, but could not wear no density for small developments.
Taking small sites and stuffing houses on them would create ghettos of the future, she said.
Councillor George Wood, who surprised colleagues by voting against Mrs Hartley's amendment on Thursday, was not present for today's debate.
The North Shore councillor, who has been a staunch opponent of intensification for the Shore, voted for Mr Brown's amendment of one dwelling per 200sq m.
He said he did not support Mrs Hartley's amendment after satisfying himself that density in the suburbs could be taken care of through design controls providing a good mix.
