Last open day for Draft District Plan

The final open days for Hamilton City Council’s Draft District Plan takes place next Monday (21 May 2012).

The Draft District Plan has been two years in the making and is one of the city’s most important documents. It is essentially the blueprint of how the city will look in years to come as it grows, develops and responds to residents’ needs.

The last in this series of 11 open days focuses on how Council proposes to protect the following special aspects of the city:

• Significant trees
• Significant natural areas
• Heritage buildings
• Archaeological and cultural sites

The open day runs from 2pm-7pm at Bill Gallagher Room 1, Wintec, Anglesea St. People are invited to attend at any time between the hours specified.

The most notable change proposed to how these features are currently protected is a new ranking system for heritage buildings that is in line with the two-tier system promoted by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

Historic buildings in the city will now be ranked either Category A (of highly significant historic value) or Category B (of significant historic value).

While special rules apply to any development of these buildings, the Council also intends to make it easier for them to be used for purposes other than they were originally built for.

In addition, it is proposed zoning changes will be made to natural areas previously known as environmental protection overlays. These sites will be called significant natural areas.

Meanwhile, while the open days may be coming to a close, feedback on this stage of the Draft District Plan is open until June 1, 2012.

Councillor Pippa Mahood, chair of the District Plan Review Steering Group, says Hamiltonians should ensure they have a say on the future of their city.

“This is an important opportunity for people to tell us the kind of city they want to live in. It’s vital that we get this right and incorporate as many views as possible.”

All feedback will be considered for inclusion in the Draft Plan ahead of its release for formal submissions in late October.

Anyone wanting to make comments on any aspect of the Plan or wanting more information should click here.

OPEN DAY

Monday, May 21, 2-7pm, Significant Trees, Significant Natural Areas, Heritage Buildings, Archaeological Sites, Bill Gallagher Room 1, Wintec, Anglesea St.