April 9th 2013

Public comment invited on draft District Plan

A ten year review of Hastings District Plan has highlighted Council’s sustainable development vision and strategic planning commitments.

Hastings District Council has worked closely with the Napier City Council during the review process, to ensure that the provisions of the plan are more closely aligned between the two areas.

Chair of the District Plan Review Working Party Mick Lester says “Instead of trying to develop a set of rules that cover several parts of the district, the draft plan has rules that are tailored for particular localities. As an example, the rules that are proposed for Havelock North commercial and residential areas are not the same as those that could apply to similar areas in Hastings.”

Mr Lester says” The community has played an important role as we built the new plan. Public feedback has provided valuable direction to the working party following the release of numerous strategy and discussion documents last year. Council has listened carefully to what the community wants and I believe we have developed a document which will deliver on Councils sustainable development visions along with providing the tools to protect the valuable heritage items that are contained within the Hastings District.”

“There are definitely some very contentious issues in the plan and therefore we have decided that it will be released in draft form which will allow further informal feedback from the community. This is not a requirement under the Resource Management Act but I believe it is vital that the community has one further chance to give their views on the general direction of the plan before the formal process begins.”

Major changes introduced in the draft District Plan:

• The proposed prohibition of commercial releases of genetically modified organisms
• The introduction of an Air Noise boundary for the Bridge Pa Aerodrome.
• The introduction of a Havelock North Character Residential Zone – resource consent will be required for new buildings
• Changes to the boundaries and areas identified as outstanding landscapes and significant amenity landscapes.
• Front fence height restrictions in residential zones – a 1.2 metre limit, with an exemption applying for high traffic streets.
• Resource consent requirement for the demolition of pre 1950’s dwellings in the Hastings Character Residential Zone
• Phasing out of lifestyle site subdivision over time in the outlying Rural Zone
• General tightening up of commercial and industrial activities on the versatile soils of the Heretaunga Plains

A series of open session will be held ahead of the closing of informal submissions on the draft District Plan on May 31st 2013.

Anyone who files an informal submission will have the opportunity to present their comments to the Council. The submissions will assist the Council in finalising the District Plan before it is publicly notified. It is envisaged that this will take place in September 2013.

To read the draft District Plan, find out the dates of the open sessions and/or provide your feedback go to http://www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/draftdistrictplan

ENDS

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