Bizzare steep lot

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kingdragonfly

11219 posts

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#209016 9-Mar-2017 12:18

I came across a bizarre lot in Wellington. It’s on an extremely steep lot. On the hill above there’s two houses, about 5 meters up.

My guess is the developer didn’t think things through, and spent a fortune on a giant driveway.

It left very little room for a house in the side of the hill.

Even with pilings, It’ll be tricky to get a 120 M2 home in the remaining space.

I’m guessing it’s going to need an expensive retaining wall, and the house windows will need to be on the front only.

I’m not sure how the neighbors would react to a two story house, so that might be the other problem.

Is there anyway to see building restrictions, in terms of vertical height? Do the neighbors have a say?

trig42

5816 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1733610 9-Mar-2017 12:24

There is a height from boundary rule in most areas (council rules).

Usually something like cannot intersect a line going up at x degrees from the top of a pre-determined fence height (2m ish). Usually to protect sun/light lines rather than views.

Could the site have a 'stepped-down' house design on it? Multiple levels stepping down the site (there are probably a few like this in Wellington already).

nickb800

2723 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1733612 9-Mar-2017 12:33

Wellington District Plan will outline what they can and can't do. 'Recession planes' is a term to search for to understand how tall the dwelling can be in relation to boundaries/neighbours

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#1733686 9-Mar-2017 13:52

Better yet, use the WCC eplan site to give a curated list of planning reg's

http://eplan.wellington.govt.nz/

We regularly see tricky sites to build on but nothing is impossible. In many cases they require pushing through the recession planes, and thus requiring resource consent, to get through the council and in turn make it financially viable to the owner.

kingdragonfly

11219 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1733744 9-Mar-2017 14:54

I'm putting this into the "too expensive" option, as I'm guessing the retaining wall would be $20,000, and the house would be about 120 M2.

If anyone's interested, here's the details.

Google map - big beige object is wooden driveway

Trademe

http://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential/sections-for-sale/auction-1180091794.htm

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1733759 9-Mar-2017 15:24

I think the developer made a bad call on this site..
That deck looks more expensive than the whole land value. Not to mention its to support vehicles!