Christchurch City Council

Business 1, 2 and 2P ZonesUrban Design and Amenity in Suburban Centres

Christchurch City PlanProposed Plan Change 56

have your saywww.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

2  Christchurch City Plan Change 56  Business 1, 2 and 2P Zones Urban Design and Amenity in Suburban Centres

Introduction

Christchurch City Council has notified proposed Plan Change 56. This means that the Council is proposing changes to the Christchurch City (District) Plan and is now asking for submissions from the public.This pamphlet is a brief summary of the key changes proposed by the Plan Change. It supplements the proposed Plan Change and is not part of the formal notification package. The full text of the proposed Plan Change, and associated reports and a submission

form are available:

∙  from the ‘Have Your Say’ page of the Council’s website: www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay;

∙  by calling the Council at 03 941 8999; or

∙  by visiting a Council library or service centre, or by visiting Civic Offices at 53 Hereford Street.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm, Monday 24 June 2013.

Details on how to make a submission are included on the back page of this pamphlet.

Purpose of the proposed Plan ChangeThe Council has a role in planning business areas and providing guidance for how they develop.

The purpose of the proposed Plan Change is to improve the

quality and design of new developments in Christchurch’s suburban centres (Business 1, 2 and 2P zones). The proposed Plan Change addresses issues such as the layout, look, feel and function of buildings and spaces.

A city-wide Plan Change

This is a city-wide Plan Change. It applies to the Business 1, Business 2 and Business 2P Zones (B1, B2 and B2P) across Christchurch.

These zones are defined in the City Plan as:

∙ B1 – Local Centre/District Centre Fringe Zones

∙ B2 – District Centre Core Zones

∙  B2P – District Centre – Parking Zones

Refer to the timeline section on the back page of this pamphlet for details as to why the proposed Plan Change focuses on these zones.

Business 1, 2 and 2P Zones Urban Design and Amenity in Suburban Centres  Christchurch City Plan Change 56  3

Proposed Plan Change – key changes to the Christchurch City Plan∙  The Business and Transport policies are strengthened to

achieve good urban design outcomes in suburban centres.

∙  A new urban design policy focuses on improving the layout, quality and amenity of development within the B1, B2 and B2P zones. This policy includes a set of principles to guide the preparation and assessment of development proposals. These principles cover matters such as the detailed design of buildings, their layout on a site and how they relate to the street, pedestrians, cyclists and nearby residential properties.

∙  New and amended rules and assessment matters support these policies.

∙  An urban design assessment is required for most new developments. This looks at matters such as the location of buildings on a site and their design and appearance.

∙  For larger developments, a Context and Site Analysis and Design Statement is required. The Context and Site Analysis provides detail of the key elements of the site and the surrounding area relevant to the proposal. The Design Statement provides the rationale for the design approach taken to the site and the building design.

∙  Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is promoted through policy and rule changes

∙  Street scene requirements for buildings that front roads or public spaces to improve amenity, for example requirements for verandas, and setback of buildings from road frontages.

∙  New provisions for vehicle crossing points to help improve safety.

∙  Additional cycle parking design requirements.

∙  Discretion to allow for reduced car parking requirements where it would result in good urban design outcomes.

For more information on all new and amended policies and rules, including the type of proposal that triggers these rules, please refer to the proposed Plan Change on the ‘Have Your Say’ page of the Council’s website: www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

The proposed Plan change does not include commercial areas in the Banks Peninsula District.

Some of the Living G Zones (which include new greenfield residential development) include provision for local commercial

centres as part of their future development. Many of these new centres are not specifically zoned B1 or B2 but to varying degrees they do cross reference to the B1 or B2 zone rules.

The proposed Plan Change does not include∙  The Central City Business zones area, or the Banks Peninsula

commercial areas.

∙  Changes to the location or extent of existing zone boundaries.

∙  Matters relating to car parking number requirements, sunlight and outlook requirements, setbacks from living zones, tree and

landscaping requirements, site density requirements, or height.

∙  Special provisions within the City Plan that are tailored to specific areas. For example, New Brighton–specific provisions, and specific provisions for greenfield growth areas.

Examples of good urban design (top) and designs that are less preferable (middle and below).

Too long and low

Good urban design

Too large and bulky

Timeline and background to the proposed Plan ChangePre-2008 1. Background to start of the Plan ChangeRecognition of the need for improvements in the quality of the layout, design and appearance of new developments in Central City Business Zones and Business 2 (including B2P) Zones.

2008 2. ConsultationThe Council carried out consultation with the public and business community to seek feedback about urban design issues in these zones. The feedback identified issues such as poor visual appearance of buildings.

2009 – 2010 3. Preparation of the Plan ChangeThe results of 2008 Council-led site survey work and the 2008 consultation feedback, confirmed the need to change sections of the City Plan relating to urban design matters in these zones.

2011 4. Change in the scope of the Plan Change and

further consultationAs a result of the earthquakes the Plan Change was altered to:

a)  include the Business 1 Zones, as these zones were of concern from an urban design view point; and

b)  exclude the Central City Business Zones, as these were covered by the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan.

The Business 2 (including B2P) Zones remained within the Plan Change.

Further consultation confirmed that the urban design issues identified in the 2008 consultation were still relevant for the community.

2011–2013 5. Preparation of the proposed Plan ChangeFurther targeted consultation was undertaken and technical reports prepared relating to transport, economics and urban design matters. These reports informed the drafting of proposed Plan Change 56.

Now 20136. Notification of the proposed Plan Change and submissionsIn April 2013, the Council formally considered the proposed Plan Change and approved it for notification under the Resource Management Act. Members of the public now have an opportunity to make formal submissions supporting or opposing the proposal.

Next StepsThe process as outlined in the Resource Management Act will be followed.

For a full summary of the next steps, please visit: www.ccc.govt.nz/proposedplanchange56

How Plan Change 56 fits into the bigger picture∙ It is consistent with local and regional planning policy documents.

∙  It supports the community’s Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy by making sure that new development adds to, rather than detracts from, the quality or amenity of suburban centres.

∙  It is relevant to the Suburban Centre master plans which are being progressed through the Council’s Suburban Centres Programme.

∙  It will support the master plans by providing City Plan controls to assist in achieving improved urban design and amenity outcomes. However, the proposed Plan Change does not directly implement the detailed actions contained within the suburban centre master plans (i.e. centre specific controls such as building heights).

How to make a submissionThe Council has now notified this proposed Plan Change. The public can make a submission in connection with the proposed Plan Change. Your submission is needed by 5pm, Monday 24 June 2013. You can make a submission a number of ways:

∙  On the internet You can enter your feedback using the online form provided on the Council’s website at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

∙  By post to Freepost 178, Strategy and Planning Group, Christchurch City Council, PO Box 73012, Christchurch 8154.

∙  By emailing a submission form to PlanChangeSubmissions@ccc.govt.nz

∙  By delivering your submission to Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street.

If you make a submission, please indicate on your submission if you wish to be heard.

Please note that submissions must be in the prescribed form (submission form 5)

For further informationVisit: www.ccc.govt.nz/proposedplanchange56

www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

Contact: Caroline Rachlin Phone: 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169

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Christchurch City Council53 Hereford Street, Christchurch 8011 PO Box 73014, Christchurch 8154Telephone 941 8999. Email: info@ccc.govt.nzOr visit our website: www.ccc.govt.nz

Further Submissions   Hearings   Decision 

 Appeals   Plan Change included in the City Plan.

*subject to the outcome of any decision and appeals.