KEY POINTS:
An apartment building proposed for Birkenhead Pt would sit "uncomfort-ably slab-like" among heritage homes, says conservation architect Jeremy Salmond.
"The architectural character of the proposal could be described as modern nondescript," he said, giving evidence on behalf of the Birkenhead Residents' Association on the fifth day of a resource consent hearing for 83 Hinemoa St.
More than 500 submissions opposed the bid by Richard Beca, of Aptus Projects, to build 18 units and four shops on the North Shore site, which was a service station until 2005.
Mr Salmond, who is on the Auckland City Urban Design Panel, said such pocket business zones once had buildings of some substance which became landmarks and helped shape the character of principal streets.
However, the Aptus design would not achieve the character or presence of the older buildings of the area.
"This development, as proposed, comprehensively does not meet critical district plan objectives due to its general massing, architectural form and the quality of the architectural detail."
Mr Salmon said the council's planning report recommended that consent be granted.
That report ignored the design recommendations of council heritage adviser Bryan Bennett. These met both objectives of the district plan and residents' objections.
Mr Bennett said the three-storey building was too dominant and its effects on the heritage zone were more than minor.
Aptus offered a revised design on the first day of the hearing.
Urban designer Lisa Mein said that version was "far more classical" than previous versions.
She said the building's design was appropriate, complied with height controls and was lower than many neighbouring properties.
"I consider that the scale, form and orientation of the apartments and business units relates well to the two street frontages as well as to the rear of the site.
"The development is mixed-use and as such will contribute not only additional housing choice for the area but also the opportunity for a potential live-work lifestyle for residents."
The hearing was adjourned indefinitely.
Hearing panel chairman Leigh McGregor said the adjournment would allow the applicant to consider "well resourced" evidence and decide the next step.
Residents' spokesman Clive Whitehead said 88 people made time to prepare and speak to their submissions after three years and several design changes.
"The project has been under the magnifying glass and hopefully the applicant recognises what we say is wrong with it."
Mr Whitehead said the association accepted that the zone was for development of a commercial scale but theapplicant was "pushing all the boundaries."
