Waimakariri council seeks feedback on urban housing rules
By DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
The Waimakariri District Council is seeking feedback on new urban housing rules.
The passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 has directed the council to adopt medium density housing for the district’s main urban areas.
As a result, the council is notifying variation 1 and 2 to the proposed Waimakariri District Plan, which was notified in September last year.
The changes will affect Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend (including Ravenswood) and Pegasus.
Planning regulation and environment general manager Tracy Tierney said the new standards would allow development of up to three residential units and buildings up to three storeys high.
There would be a height limit of 11 metres (plus 1m for a pitched roof) without a resource consent.
‘‘The council is required to adopt the density standards, objectives and policies, meaning there is limited scope to influence these standards – both by council and the community,’’ Tierney said.
‘‘However, your submissions on the variation are still important and may influence the way in which they are incorporated into the District Plan.
‘‘We encourage everyone to participate in the process to let the council know your views.’’
Tierney said there was still some scope for the council to deem some areas as ‘‘inappropriate’’ for intensification.
This included ‘‘parts of Kaiapoi that have been identified as potentially having a natural hazard risk due to flooding’’.
‘‘We would appreciate local intel as well,’’ she said.
Public drop-in sessions will be held in Rangiora, Kaiapoi and Woodend/Pegasus to give the community the opportunity to talk to planners.
Council staff expected to notify the summary of submissions to the proposed District Plan later this year.
Hearings on the proposed District Plan and variations 1 and 2 are likely to be held at the same time next year.
■ For more information and to make a submission go to waimakariri.govt.nz/planning/district-plan/district-plan-changes/council-plan-changes.
Drop-in sessions:
Tuesday, August 23, Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre, 3.30pm to 6pm.
Thursday, August 25, Pegasus Community Centre, 3.30pm to 6pm.
A ‘Friend of the Submitter', Jane West, is available to assist residents in making a submission. Phone 03 3243324 or email WDCMDRS@jwest.co.nz.
Submissions on variations 1 and 2 to the proposed District Plan close on Friday, September 9.
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‘Healthy’ response to Waimakariri’s Long Term Plan
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri residents have had their say on the long-term plan (LTP) and given councillors plenty to consider.
A council spokesperson said ‘‘a healthy’’ 336 submissions have been received to the 2024-34 LTP, making 1670 submission points.
The council is due to hold hearings on the submissions on May 8, from 9.30am, in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre and then in the Oxford Town Hall from 3pm.
A second day of hearings will be held in the council chambers in Rangiora the following day from 1pm.
The council has signalled a rates hike of 8.94% this year, which is thought to be the lowest proposed rates rise in Canterbury.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the council was feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, while continuing to pay off its earthquake recovery and Mainpower Stadium loans.
The district’s population is projected to grow from about 70,000 to 82,075 by 2034, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
To support that growth, the council is proposing to spend around $693 million over the next 10 years.
Managing the natural environment, flood resilience, community facilities and transport infrastructure were being consulted on.
Key projects include the proposed Rangiora eastern link road, a draft natural environment strategy, the Rangiora Library extension and expansion plans for Mainpower Oval.
Once the hearings have concluded, the council will resume its LLT deliberations on May 21 and 22, before the final adoption in June.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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