KEY POINTS:
Heritage Week is the appropriate time to be considering the $250 million Soho Square development in Ponsonby, says a local property owner.
Christine Armstrong yesterday told a public hearing that the heritage she wanted kept was the skyline of Ponsonby.
She was among a handful of more than 800 submitters opposed to the development wishing to be heard at a hearing before four independent commissioners.
Their task is to rule on plans by the developer, Marlin Group, for the old DYC vinegar factory site.
Marlin is seeking resource consent to breach the permitted building limit on the 1.3ha site by 80 per cent and more than double the height limit in places.
The company already has resource consent for some work on the site, including the big hole in the ground for five levels of underground carparking.
Like many opponents, Ms Armstrong was not opposed to development on the site, just back from Ponsonby Rd and bordering Williamson Ave, Pollen St and Crummer Rd.
"The character of Ponsonby ridge has attracted this developer to recognise a good opportunity for investment.
"However, the very things that have created the attractions are very likely to be marred by a building complex of this size and density, and appear to include pressure on already difficulty parking availability," she said.
This month, Marlin presented its case to the commissioners, saying its vision for Soho was to "create a branded entity that offers an exceptional leisure, entertainment, living and working environment which complements the culture and vibe of Ponsonby".
It also emerged that Marlin's earlier plans for an "urban village" with shops, restaurants, cafes and a cinema had changed, placing a greater emphasis on offices.
Residents of Crummer Rd were particularly concerned about the effect of shading from tall buildings on their homes and businesses, and were angry at a claim by Marlin's planner Martin Green that "this part of Grey Lynn/Ponsonby is characterised by shabby industrial or commercial buildings".
Ken Johnson, who with his partner Deborah White runs Whitespace Gallery and lives above the business in Crummer Rd, gave a PowerPoint presentation showing nearby buildings, businesses and residents.
"Ponsonby and the surrounding environs of Grey Lynn, Karangahape Rd and Newton are known as the 'Bohemian Heart' of Auckland.
"This proposed commercial office block ... is completely out of context with the special make-up of the area," Mr Johnson said.
The couple hired their own planner, Richard Blakey, who noted that Auckland City Council's urban design panel said Soho did not offer sufficient urban design merit and public realm benefits to warrant the proposed infringements.
Mr Blakey said it was not clear why a council in-house urban designer, Nicola Williams, had discounted these concerns.
The plans had been only slightly amended since the panel's lastreview.
The hearings continue today with the ASB Community Trust, owners of the historic Allendale House on the corner of Ponsonby and Crummer Rds, among those making submissions.
