Neighbouring landowners parking on the Glenda Reserve in Frankton who were last year told to vacate the land have been given a reprieve so involved parties can find a "win-win" solution.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council community services committee decided yesterday on a 12-week period to allow discussion between the council's property manager, APL Property, and the 40 neighbouring landowners on options for the reserve.
Community services general manager Paul Wilson's report to the committee recommended extending the original notice to remove all property on site until August 26.
However, committee members decided there was room for compromise over use of the land, which was put aside to act as a visual buffer in 2002 but is yet to be planted.
Councillor Lex Perkins said the situation in Glenda Dr was like that in Queenstown's industrial area, with development "too tight" to properly allow parking.
He said a small strip of land could be used for leased parking, given the size of the reserve.
Committee chairwoman Cath Gilmour agreed on the need for compromise, saying there had to be a "win-win" situation.
She also noted that although the reserve was there as a visual buffer, no money had been spent on planting and, judging by budget cuts, "the chance of us getting money for planting there at the moment is not very high".
Landowner Tony Strain, who has five tenants with parking needs, said making them vacate the reserve would not solve the problem.
"If they cannot carry it out there, they will look for other areas... At the end of the day, we are not solving the problem, we are just moving it."
Dan Egerton, of Lakes Property Services, said there was possibility of changing to Glenda Reserve into a recreation reserve similar to Ben Lomond where activity leases could be held, but the change process would be long and arduous.
