An application by River Crossing Limited to demolish existing buildings and to level a site at 5- 7 Cass Street and 36-50 South Street to construct two commercial buildings, one a large format retail store of around 5175m2, which is believed to be for K Mart, will be considered at a resource hearing in Ashburton next week.
The application includes the provision of up to 305 parking spaces, provision for two vehicle crossings or entranceways on Cass Street, a new vehicle crossing/entranceway on South Street and the ability to use the existing vehicle crossing to Countdown Ashburton South.
The application involves a number of non-complying activities.
Large format retailing is not permitted in Business D zones under the Operative Ashburton District Plan.
There is also non-compliance with some landscaping and tree requirements, queueing space, and the setback of buildings from land zoned Open Space A.
There are three submissions opposing the consent and another from Countdown Ashburton South owner Woolworths offering conditional support, subject to agreement on a range of matters.
Paul and Kate Winter, Paul and Rebekah Smith and Matt Winter and Kellie Wilson oppose the resource consent application, saying it will fragment the town centre.
Similar sentiments come from Clark McLeod on behalf of CBD retailers.
Mike Farrell supports the application being granted, but wants alterations to the traffic management because of potential congestion issues.
Among the hearing documentation is a economic report from Property Economics commissioned by Ashburton District Council.
The high-level economic peer review report, titled Ashburton Kmart Economic Impact Assessment, assesses the methodology, analyses information and assumptions and looks at the resulting determined effects of the development.
The peer review report concludes by saying: "It is Property Economics concern that the state of the current Ashburton town centre would suggest that a significant diversion such as that identified would lead to significant economic impacts on the town centre.''
The resource consent hearing is set for 10am on November 19 in the council chamber.
