Wellington City Council is looking to dramatically change its rules for property, with district plan reforms voted on this week including altering its regulations for density, urban design and height restrictions.

The changes are designed to support population growth and could potentially affect most Wellington homes because the majority of the city is included in the proposed changes.

In residential areas changes include density restrictions increasing to medium in areas around some housing centres, starting with Johnsonville and Kilbirnie.

“This is an important step in allowing more people to live closer to services and public transport, and to a more sustainable city better equipped to adjust to the threats of climate change and peak oil,” a council spokesman said.

“We have some greenfields development provided for, but it is also important that we don’t rely on sprawl as so many cities have with all the transport problems that brings.”

A new residential design guide in the urban design rules would require multi unit developments provide certain amounts of sunlight, open space and privacy with character inner suburbs like Mt Victoria, Aro Valley, Thorndon, Mt Cook and Newtown having specific rules.

Oriental Bay would have increased allowances for ground floor commercial activities for the public to use. The residential development height in Johnsonville would be reduced from ten metres to eight metres.

“We want to ensure traditional suburban centres thrive because they are the hearts of communities, have a lot of investment in public facilities – libraries, community centres etc, are served by public transport and are places where people can do a lot of things in one visit, reducing transport requirements,” a council spokesman said.

“They are places for small retail, and high repeat visit destinations like malls and supermarkets. Higher quality design, active frontages (not blank walls), verandas are all important and will be required. Above ground floor residential is encouraged.”

“Epic,” “marathon” and “long-running” were just a few of the words the council used to describe the four years of consultation and seven week hearing earlier this year about these changes.

City councillors vote on the changes this week and the new rules will come into effect on September 28 if voted in.