PERMIT GRANTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21727, 16 February 1934, Page 12

PERMIT GRANTED

ADDITION TO HOSPITAL BELATED OBJECTION RAISED OVER-RULED BY COUNCIL What was described as a rather belated objection, on town-planning principles, by the city engineer to the erection of a four-storeyed block at tho Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Mountain Boad, Epsom, was overruled by the Auckland City Council at a meeting last evening. The engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, in a report, stated that the hospital occupied a commanding site of 5$ acres. The present buildings were of brick and wood, none exceeding two storeys in height. The district in which the hospital stood was entirely residential in character and the neighbourhood of the hospital should, in his opinion, bo reserved as a first-class residential "A" district, in which, broadly speaking, buildings other than single-family dwelling houses, educational institutions, churches and accessory buildings would be excluded, and in which the height of buildings would ho limited to two storeys. In all typical zoning ordinances applicable to cities of the size of Auckland, public and private hospitals were definitely excluded from a residential "A" class district.

In cases where ''non-conforming" buildings were already in existence in such a district at the time of adoption of a zoning scheme, added Mr. 'lyler, their use could continue under certain regulations and provided that no structural alterations or additions were made except such as were necessary for the safety of the building. It would therefore bo seen that to sanction the additions as proposed would be an evasion of zoning principles. The most serious aspect was the height, which would be two storeys above the existing structure, plus a penthouse. The granting of a permit would, in his opinion,• give rise to conditions incompatible with the development of a residential "A" district and would create serious difficulties in the future zoning of the area and the rest of the city. "This report does not relate to the structural aspect of the building concerned, but merely to the zoning viewpoint," Mr. Tyler concluded. The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, moved that tho matter should be referred to the Town Planning Committee with power to grant a permit if it desired, but otherwise to report back to the council. "It seems rather remarkable that this point should be raised now," said Mr. T. Bloodworth. "I remember that about two years ago it was understood that the council would grant the permit if certain structural alterations were made. Now an entirely new aspect is brought up It is too late in the day now. The contract has been let and tho building is now being erected." He moved as an amendment that the permit should be granted. The amendment was carried without dissent.