The Napier City Council has prepared Draft Plan Change 7 as a new zone, with new policies and rules, for Jervoistown. This Draft Plan Change has been developed following consultation with residents of Jervoistown, and concern from the Council of the effects of adhoc development on Jervoistown. The Draft Plan Change is a non-statutory process which seeks comment, prior to any formal notification.

Recent development proposals in Jervoistown have demonstrated that the District Plan rules for the existing zones (Main Rural and Rural Settlement) are not sufficiently robust to manage development in a manner envisaged by the objectives and policies of these zones. Both existing zones have policies and rules that make limiting development difficult. Further development could generate effects on the environment that over time would erode the existing character and amenity of the area. While new development may be able meet current building and planning regulations on its own site, adverse effects can still be experienced on other properties where the cumulative impacts of additional development places ever increasing pressure on existing residents means of disposal of effluent and stormwater.

The purpose of this proposed plan change is aimed at restricting further development in Jervoistown in order to minimize any further impact on the environment. The primary mechanism for achieving this is to prohibit subdivision below 2500m2. If a clear majority (75%) of the Jervoistown community at some stage agrees they want and will pay for full urban services the Council will initiate actions to remove these restrictions in order to allow standard suburban residential development. The proposed rules reflect the outcome of the community consultation to date and are intended to focus on key amenity issues as well as servicing.

The primary changes proposed in this plan change relate to:

• Minimum Lot Size – 2500m2
• Subdivision of lots to less than 2500m2 – prohibited activity unless at least 75% of the ratepayers in the new Jervoistown Zone request and contribute to full infrastructural services
• Density – One dwelling unit per site
• Site Coverage – 15% net site area on sites greater than 1500m2 30% net site area on sites less than 1500m2
• Noise – Include acoustic insulation condition within the expressway boundary
• Fencing – In front yard 1.2m high solid portion with open structure on top to a maximum of 2.0m high
• Multi-unit development - discretionary activity
• Supplementary Unit – discretionary activity
• Boundary adjustments and subdivision for a network utility operation – discretionary activity.
• Other consequential amendments to strengthen policies and objectives to give effect to the above.
• Consequential amendments to strengthen areas/matters over which Council reserves discretion and additional assessment criteria to give effect to the above.

This plan change is currently in draft form so that the community can continue to have input in the future direction for Jervoistown before the statutory process starts.

More Information

Any queries about, or requests for copies of Draft Plan Change 7 should be made to Dean Moriarity on (06) 835-7579.