KEY POINTS:
Opening up Orewa's beachfront to the shops, with sea-facing cafes and possibly a pier and an artificial reef, is among proposals to rejuvenate a town that Rodney Mayor Penny Webster says is "tired and overdue for a boost".
Mrs Webster said the newly elected council voted 10-1 to adopt the Orewa East Structure Plan and seek public comment until March 7.
The result of nine years' study and talk, the proposed structure plan seeks to change District Plan rules for buildings and building heights in the town centre and building heights in neighbouring residences.
"It's not perfect but we want to get out there," said Mrs Webster.
"We made considerable changes since the plan's original public consultation - in fact, we have downgraded it.
"We listened to the people who did not want any high-rise building in the northern side of the business areas, so now that will be only in the southern area."
Mrs Webster said it was unfortunate that October's election came down to a question of "high-rise or no high-rise".
The council's proposal heeds the public outcry to restrict further high-rise apartment towers in redeveloped areas so Orewa would not turn into another "Surfers Paradise".
Town centre building heights remain at 30m but the potential number of 25 towers will be reduced. Nearly double the minimum site area will be needed before a high-rise can be built.
Towers will be spaced more widely apart though their podium or base is increased in height from 10.5m to a maximum of 12m.
Buildings can reach seven storeys at the southern end of town, extending back one block along the highway and opposite the beach reserves. However, developers will have to amass sites of at least 5000 sq m.
Orewa's population has grown by nearly 25 per cent in five years to 5200. The council's suggested new zones allow staged growth to house 12,000 people.
This is an increase of 2800 people over what the present District Plan allows and is lower than the potential 19,500 suggested by the Auckland Regional Growth Study.
As a service town, Orewa has 3400 people working there and business zoning proposals allow expansion to 8000 workers - despite competition from Albany and Silverdale.
Most of the land in town will be zoned as high intensity with a change in height limit from 9m to 11.5m to allow for pitched roofs.
A beachfront residential zone between Moana Ave and the beach reserve will allow three households on a present single dwelling site.
A new beachfront commercial zone opposite the town centre where there are now houses will provide for low-rise restaurants, cafes and shops.
There will be reserve space for access to the beach and additional work is likely on the controversial idea of a town pier before a firm proposal evolves.
"We are trying to build a vibrant Orewa that people will want to come to visit and live, said Mrs Webster.
"It has a ton of potential with the Alpurt motorway completion [to Puhoi] removing trucks off the road and giving a chance to reconnect town centre with the beach."
MASTERPLAN
Key proposals:
* Growth to 12,000 residents.
* 30m height limit stays for town centre high-rise.
* High intensity residential zone rises from 9m to 11.5m.
* Beachfront residential zone allows three homes per section.
* Beachfront commercial zone allows for restaurants and beach access.
* Southern end of town residential allows for up to seven storeys.
* Surf club and camp ground sites unchanged.
* Town pier and artificial reef possibilities.
