Hotchin clear to exceed council building limits

Mark Hotchin. Photo / Richard Robinson

The Auckland City Council has given Hanover co-owner Mark Hotchin dispensation to exceed the building coverage and environmentally damaging impermeable surface area on his $30 million Paritai Drive property.

The sprawling house exceeds the maximum building coverage control by 74 per cent and reduces the area for permeable space by 45 per cent.

Mr Hotchin applied to the council in 2006 for resource consent to build on the 4322sq m section made up of three previous properties at 56 and 58 Paritai Drive and 4 Huriaro Place.

Paritai Drive is one of Auckland's most exclusive streets, prized for its views of the Waitemata Harbour and proximity to the city.

Resource consent was required because the plans by Sumich Architects breached a number of planning rules. Most breaches, like five chimneys exceeding the height rules by 900mm, were minor.

Two breaches were significant. Mr Hotchin wanted to exceed the 30 per cent maximum building coverage control.

The rules allowed for building coverage of 1296.6sq m. He sought 2259.11sq m - in increase of 74 per cent.

He also wanted to breach the 45 per cent minimum permeable area of grass and garden. The rules required 1944.9sq m. He sought 1060.19sq m - a decrease of permeable area by 45 per cent.

The aim of setting a minimum grassed and garden area is to protect the environment. Permeable surfaces let water soak into the ground. Impermeable surfaces lead to pressure on the city's stormwater system and increase the risk of flooding.

A report by senior council planners for independent planning commissioner Les Simmons said they believed the effects of the building coverage and landscaped permeable surface were minor and nil respectively. What's more, they said the breaches were not contrary to the objectives and policy of the district plan.

The council's senior development engineer, Scott Paton, recommended the permeability of the site could be improved by allowing drainage through the tennis court area. The building also had large areas able to absorb water, officers said.

LUXURY LIVING

The Hotchin mansion
* Seven bedrooms, including art room and study on second floor.
* Theatre, games room, study, gym, living room, family room, kitchen, children's room, various dining areas on ground floor.
* Garaging for 12 vehicles.
* Swimming pool.
* Tennis court and pavilion area.
* Minor dwelling on southern side of site.
* Land area 4322sq m.