Plan Changes 12 and 16 approved

The Council has approved two changes to the District Plan.

Plan Change 12 amends the residential provisions of the District Plan. In particular, it extends the existing higher density areas (now called Medium Density Residential - which allow for smaller sites and greater building coverage than in other residential areas) to include residential areas around shopping centres and transport routes and amends the provisions relating to multi unit housing, including the introduction of a design guide.

Minor amendments have been made to the provisions for accessory buildings, yard requirements, recession planes, decks, home occupations and childcare facilities to ensure they are workable and effective. In addition a new rule for minimum permeable surfaces has been added.

A maximum dollar value for reserves contributions for subdivisions in Residential and Rural Activity Areas has also been introduced.

Plan Change 16 amends the notification procedures for resource consent applications in Chapter 17 of the District Plan and also makes a number of minor, miscellaneous amendments in order to correct spelling and grammatical errors.

The District Plan as amended by Plan Changes 12 and 16 will be available to view from 1 December 2011 at:

• Libraries
• Council’s Building on 30 Laings Road
• On Council’s website