District council planning and regulation general manager Tracy Tierney said her team was surprised at the city council’s decision to refuse to notify variations to its District Plan, but understood its reasons.
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The councils were expected to notify new medium-density housing standards into their District Plans, following the passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing and Other Matters) Amendment Act in December.
Waimakariri notified the variations to the District Plan last month, which applied to Kaiapoi and Rangiora.
Woodend and Pegasus, with populations below 10,000, were exempt for now.
‘‘We have engaged in the process with the community, but the way each council uses the new regulations will be different,’’ Ms Tierney said.
‘‘The legislation didn’t nuance what it might mean for individual councils and that’s something we’ve all struggled with.
‘‘So that’s why it’s good the community gets to consider it.’’
The legislation was backed by both Labour and National, so the Christchurch decision had taken the Government by surprise, North Canterbury-based Labour List MP Dan Rosewarne said.
The Government could appoint a commissioner to notify the plan change, but Mr Rosewarne said the Government preferred to work with the councils to find a way forward.
Two Government ministers sit on the Greater Christchurch Partnership committee.
Environment Minister David Parker said the legislation allowed councils to identify areas deemed inappropriate for medium-density housing.
Qualifying reasons included natural hazards, lack of infrastructure and character.
Conditions included maximum heights, setbacks from boundaries, no more more than 50 per cent of land covered by buildings and at least 20 per cent of the section must be landscaped with trees, grass or garden beds.
Building consents would still be required.
Mr Parker said neighbours may be consulted, but the consent could not be declined if they opposed.
Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon said parts of Kaiapoi would be excluded due to natural hazards.
Around 75 submissions were received on the variations to the Waimakariri District Plan, which would be considered in the coming weeks, Mr Bacon said.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said the council had submitted against the ‘‘one-size-fits-all legislation’’.
He said the proposed District Plan, which was notified last year had addressed what it believed was appropriate intensification for the district.
‘‘This process has been disappointing considering we had already spent a significant amount of time addressing these matters, and in a way that reflects the wishes of our residents.’’
-By David Hill
Local Democracy Reporter
- Public interest journalism funded through NZ on Air
