KEY POINTS:
The Auckland Racing Club is aiming to rezone large tracts of its manicured lawns at Ellerslie Racecourse for high-rise apartments and a hotel.
Apartment blocks up to 12 storeys would be built metres back from the main racetrack and partially block views of the steeplechase course that follows the hill at the south end.
Racing club chief executive Chris Weavers said creating a rezoning envelope to take to the market over the next decade was fundamental to secure the financial future of the racecourse and the wider racing industry that relies on Ellerslie for glamour events and big stakes.
But affected neighbours are up in arms and are setting up a group to oppose the plans covering 11.4ha of green open space.
The Herald has obtained an internal memo from the Auckland City Council which says officers have met club representatives and expressed concerns about the scale and form of the development.
"They have indicated that the club will need to provide robust technical reports on issues such as effects on urban amenity, transport, heritage, geotechnical and infrastructure," the memo said.
The club envisages an 8-storey hotel next to the main grandstand with six and four-storey apartments and two-storey housing to the south. At the base of the hill there would be a 12-storey apartment block, of which the top six storeys would be visible from Ladies Mile. There would be four-storey apartments further up the hill.
The steeplechase track, which goes around the top of the hill, would stay and views to jumps at the top of the hill would be protected. No more than 10 per cent of the hill area would be developed. A number of mature London plane trees on the flat would be protected and a road network built to provide new access points.
Mr Weaver said the aim was to rezone the land so that some time in the next decade the club board could go to the market with a leasehold development.
"Right now, we are looking at vast expanses of green lawns that can be put to much better use," he said.
Daniel Maclaren, who lives on Ladies Mile, said allowing for 12-storey, or 38m-high buildings, under a new residential 9b zone was "stealing our view" and would make already congested local roads worse. It would also set a precedent, he said. At the moment, the most intense residential zone is residential 8 that allows for between three and five storeys.
Kevin Algie, whose Peach Parade home backs onto the racecourse, said it was iconic rural-like land that provided enjoyment for many people.
He said it made commercial sense to develop the land on the flat, but believed the club should reconsider the effect of development on the hill and the extra traffic it would generate.
The club is seeking a private plan to rezone the land, which will be publicly notified. This will not happen before February at the earliest.
The club has already carved off blocks of land near the Green Lane entrance for developments that include Ascot private hospital.
WHAT'S PLANNED
* 11.4ha of lawn area rezoned.
* 12-storey and 4-storey apartments on hill.
* 8-storey hotel alongside main grandstand.
* 6-storey and 4-storey apartments and 2-storey housing on the flat.
* Existing Plane trees protected.
* New roads and roading access to the developments.
