Wednesday 4 September

Key Planning Committee decisions from today

The Christchurch City Council Planning Committee met today and made the following key decisions:

Evaluation of New Brighton aquatic facilities: The Committee recommended the Council defer discussion on a report evaluating options for aquatic facilities and development at New Brighton for the incoming Council.

Airport zone plan change: The Committee recommended the Council adopt and publicly notify a proposed plan change to clarify permitted activities in the Special Purpose (Airport) Zone area.

Temporary alcohol bans: The committee recommended the Council impose an alcohol ban in Addington on New Zealand Trotting Cup Day. The ban would be in effect from 9am to 10pm on 12 November 2013 on an area bounded by Blenheim Road, Moorhouse Avenue, Lincoln Road, Wrights Road and Matipo Street. The committee also recommended the Council impose a temporary alcohol ban area in Sumner from 7pm on 31 December 2013 to 7am 1 January 2014, a period not covered by the existing permanent alcohol ban, which operates from 7pm Thursday to midnight Sunday.

Draft Plan Changes 17 and 42: Removal from District Planning work programme: The Committee recommended the Council remove two draft plan changes from the District Plan work programme: Plan Change 17 (Ferrymead Special Purpose Zone); and Proposed Plan Change 42 Bridle Path Road and places them into the District Plan Review programme.

Current investigations into the effects of the Canterbury Earthquakes on the two plan change sites and any amendments needed to the drafts for these areas will occur instead through the District Plan Review. The Council is currently awaiting the details of technical reports - as both of these areas are subject to hydrological or geotechnical issues following the Canterbury Earthquakes - and the Council wants the most up to date information. Given the timing, the most effective approach will be through the District Plan Review process.

Council staff will maintain on-going communication with affected landowners, the Hagley-Ferrymead Community Board and other stakeholders.

Tram services: The Planning Committee recommended the Council confirm the partial reopening of the inner city tram link from New Regent Street to the museum, and an extension along Oxford Terrace, Cashel Street and into High Street as far as Manchester Street. Staff will report back to the Council if the extension cannot be completed within the agreed budget of $1.57 million. The committee also requested staff to investigate construction of “crossover” tracks so trams can return to Cathedral Square via High and Colombo streets.

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