The central issue that had prompted her original recommendation was that the subdivision included 35 properties smaller than allowed in Dunedin's district plan, and that had not changed.
A consent application for the subdivision, requested by developers Allan and Martin Dippie, of Otago Business Park Ltd, went back before a consent committee yesterday, after a hearing earlier this year was adjourned for more information.
The land off Gladstone Rd North was to be developed in three stages, on land zoned residential 6.
Under residential 6 zoning, sites must be no less than 1000sq m, but the proposal asked for 35 of the sites to be smaller than that.
The committee of Dunedin city councillors Colin Weatherall, Andrew Noone and Fliss Butcher, and Mosgiel Taieri Community Board member Martin Dillon, heard an extensive explanation of the project's stormwater system, along with information on traffic management and trees on the site.
Three opposing submitters questioned that information, asked about the stormwater system ownership and maintenance, and criticised both the applicants' report and aspects of the consent process.
Ms Darby said there had been plenty of detail, but the hearing had "lost the big picture".
The trees were "just street trees", and could be replanted.
Issues of stormwater and traffic would have to be dealt with if the area was subdivided within consent rules, which, as residential-zoned land, it was expected to be.
"Those things are going to happen anyway."
But the subdivision, with its undersized lots, would end up looking like a higher-density residential 1 site, despite its residential 6 zoning, and that was inconsistent with the council's objectives and policies.
For the applicant, consultant Allan Cubitt said he agreed with most of Ms Darby's views, but not her conclusion.
He argued in his submission overall, with larger and smaller lots, the density "easily complies" with the district plan, and was a more efficient and sustainable development than strict adherence to the district plan rules would achieve.
Cr Weatherall adjourned the hearing for the committee to make a decision.
