Dispute Over TV Studio Site

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 16

Dispute Over TV Studio Site

Permission for radio and television studios to be built on land off Butler street, Opawa, was recommended by the town planning committee to the City Council last evening; but a decision was deferred for a month.

Conditions recommended by the committee were that the height of all buildings be restricted to 30ft with the exception of the production studio, which would be restricted to 40ft, that the site coverage should not exceed 35 per cent, and that the property be landscaped to the satisfaction of the council.

Fifty-one owners or occupiers of properties in Aynsley terrace and Centaurus road had presented a petition objecting to the proposal to build the studios in the area, which was zoned residential A, the committee reported. The main objection had centred on a possible reduction of the span of view from the objectors’ homes. Two residents of Aynsley terrace had advised that they thought the development would improve the area. The New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation had submitted that full investigations had been made to find a site that met the technical requirements—freedom from noise and electrical interference and in line with the Sugar Loaf—and none had been found except the site sought.

“This is spot zoning of the worst possible type,” Cr. P. J. Skellerup said. “It will be a very ugly building if I am not very much mistaken. 1 hope the chairman will take this back for further consideration.” Was the studio a public utility? Cr. W. V. Cowles asked. The property owners should be protected. “I don’t intend to take it back,” said Cr. W. P. Glue, chairman of the committee. “If anything has given us a headache it is this.” “It won’t hurt anyone to wait another month,”, said Cr. R. M. Macfarlane, M.P., moving that the clause be deferred. The committee had been surprised that anyone had objected, because the area was

a wilderness, Cr. Glue said. The land could be taken under the Public Works Act.

“If you are not satisfied about the way we do it, do the flaming thing yourself,” he added. Complaints by residents that the building would block their view were more imaginary than real, Cr. W. H. Mathison said. “Let’s defer it for a month, and then you will all be happy with the site and approve it next month,” Cr. G. D. Hattaway said. The town planning committee did a tremendous amount of work and when there were objections there was a proper hearing said Cr. H. P. Smith. If the council was to function as a town planning

authority, then it must give attention to its committee’s recommendations. A vote on the amendment deferring a decision was declared lost by the Mayor (Mr G. Manning), but Cr. Macfarlane then asked for a division, which resulted 9-9. “I give my casting vote in favour of the status quo,” Mr Manning said. Cr. Glue: What's that? The Mayor: I don’t know. I will give it in the way I voted, for deferment. Cr. Glue said that if the decision was against the committee’s recommendation he was “finished with town planning,” but after hearing an aside from the Mayor, he said: “Well I’ll be back next month.”