KEY POINTS:
Developer Tony Gapes is seeking a smooth passage to build a mix of housing, retail, office and possibly even some entertainment facilities on the Orakei headland, under an agreement with the Auckland City Council.
Mr Gapes' Redwood Group and the council, which own much of the 5ha of sensitive coastal land at Orakei, are putting aside issues of ownership, planning, zoning and even where the busy Orakei Rd could run, to develop a masterplan for the area.
The two parties have signed a memorandum of understanding setting out the process and outcomes for the plan. These include high-quality design in conjunction with public transport, public space and access around the foreshore, and taking the volcanic landscape into account.
Under the agreement, Redwood will consult a number of interested parties, including the Orakei Residents Society, to come up with a draft masterplan by July.
That is expected to lead to a publicly notified plan change for the area in October. Once approved, the plan change is expected to smooth the way for Mr Gapes to develop apartments on 3ha he controls.
