Hi there,
A year or so I was on the forum asking about finances. (Thanks for the various advice at the time). It's taken this long to get plans for our modest house-build happening...and currently we're at the stage of applying for Resource Consent.
Here's the situation:
Bush property. Residential zoning.
We live in very small old unconsented dwelling (less than 30m2) on site. Built pre-1997.
Unconsented minor dwelling has own water tanks, scoria pit for drainage of outdoor shower and kitchen sink (via previous owner) and a long drop - no septic tank.
Minor dwelling is hooked up to mains electricity via a builders temporary supply.
We pay full Council rates that include stormwater, and the usual stuff - minus sewage and water.
Edited to add: Would it make any difference if we undertake to disconnect water tanks (will have to do that anyway) and remove kitchen sink from minor dwelling? Thus making it uninhabitable as a 'household unit'?
House build:
x1 two storied dwelling + driveway (which is actually an extension of existing small driveway)
New build will not be physically connected to existing minor dwelling. (Existing dwelling to become studio/storage).
Not subdividing.
That's about it really.
On friday we received a letter from the WCC stating we would have to pay an estimated $9000 (or more) in 'Developers Contributions' over and above resource consent fees & building consent fees which we estimate at approx $9000 total. The 'Developers Contributions' are apparently for the following:
-- Leisure
-- Libraries
-- Parks
-- Transport ($4800 + for transport!)
We're a bit shocked.
Here are our questions:
We are living in the minor dwelling currently, in lieu of building, and have been for two years - so can it be argued that we are NOT in fact creating a 'New household unit' - but transferring our 'household' from one place to the other place on the same site?
The only additional 'service' the final house will require above the current dwelling, is possible payment of rural sewage levy for septic tank emptying if needed. Electric will be transferred to a normal domestic supply, but is not a new connection. If it is about creating extra strain on services, can we argue this won't be the case?
We're at a bit of a loss as to how to respond to the unexpected estimate, as we're not developers per se, and it's not our intention to rent out the tiny existing dwelling, thereby creating TWO households - but how does one prove this?
Lastly - there is no mention in the 'Development Contributions' policy about existing dwellings that don't have consent. Nor is there even a very clear definition of what a 'Household Unit' actually means.
Any advice or clarity on where we might stand, would be very much appreciated!! Having to get back to the Council on this some time in the next few days.
Thanks for your time,
Aeryn
A year or so I was on the forum asking about finances. (Thanks for the various advice at the time). It's taken this long to get plans for our modest house-build happening...and currently we're at the stage of applying for Resource Consent.
Here's the situation:
Bush property. Residential zoning.
We live in very small old unconsented dwelling (less than 30m2) on site. Built pre-1997.
Unconsented minor dwelling has own water tanks, scoria pit for drainage of outdoor shower and kitchen sink (via previous owner) and a long drop - no septic tank.
Minor dwelling is hooked up to mains electricity via a builders temporary supply.
We pay full Council rates that include stormwater, and the usual stuff - minus sewage and water.
Edited to add: Would it make any difference if we undertake to disconnect water tanks (will have to do that anyway) and remove kitchen sink from minor dwelling? Thus making it uninhabitable as a 'household unit'?
House build:
x1 two storied dwelling + driveway (which is actually an extension of existing small driveway)
New build will not be physically connected to existing minor dwelling. (Existing dwelling to become studio/storage).
Not subdividing.
That's about it really.
On friday we received a letter from the WCC stating we would have to pay an estimated $9000 (or more) in 'Developers Contributions' over and above resource consent fees & building consent fees which we estimate at approx $9000 total. The 'Developers Contributions' are apparently for the following:
-- Leisure
-- Libraries
-- Parks
-- Transport ($4800 + for transport!)
We're a bit shocked.
Here are our questions:
We are living in the minor dwelling currently, in lieu of building, and have been for two years - so can it be argued that we are NOT in fact creating a 'New household unit' - but transferring our 'household' from one place to the other place on the same site?
The only additional 'service' the final house will require above the current dwelling, is possible payment of rural sewage levy for septic tank emptying if needed. Electric will be transferred to a normal domestic supply, but is not a new connection. If it is about creating extra strain on services, can we argue this won't be the case?
We're at a bit of a loss as to how to respond to the unexpected estimate, as we're not developers per se, and it's not our intention to rent out the tiny existing dwelling, thereby creating TWO households - but how does one prove this?
Lastly - there is no mention in the 'Development Contributions' policy about existing dwellings that don't have consent. Nor is there even a very clear definition of what a 'Household Unit' actually means.
Any advice or clarity on where we might stand, would be very much appreciated!! Having to get back to the Council on this some time in the next few days.
Thanks for your time,
Aeryn
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