Future Napier Committee

Open Minutes

 

Meeting Date:

Thursday 30 July 2020

Time:

10.40am – 11.29am

Venue

Large Exhibition Hall

Napier War Memorial Centre

Marine Parade

Napier

 

 

Present

Mayor Wise, Deputy Mayor Brosnan (In the Chair), Councillors Browne, Crown, Mawson, McGrath, Price, Simpson, Tapine, Taylor and Wright

In Attendance

Interim Chief Executive, Director Community Services, Director City Strategy, Manager Communications and Marketing

Chief Financial Officer

Manager Regulatory Solutions

Manager Property

Team Leader Planning and Compliance

Strategic Planning Lead

Policy Planner/ Analyst

Policy Planner

Senior Policy Advisor

 

Administration

Governance Team

 


Future Napier Committee - 30 July 2020 - Open Minutes

 

Apologies

Councillors Mawson / Crown

That the apology from Councillors Boag and Chrystal be accepted.

 

Conflicts of interest

Nil

Public forum

Nil

Announcements by the Mayor

Nil

Announcements by the Chairperson

Nil

Minor matters raised

Nil

Announcements by the management

Nil

Confirmation of minutes 

Councillors Browne / Taylor

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2020 were taken as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

 

 

 


Future Napier Committee - 30 July 2020 - Open Minutes

Agenda Items

 

1.    District Plan Review - Policy Approach of the Draft Plan

Type of Report:

Legal and Operational

Legal Reference:

Resource Management Act 1991

Document ID:

945299

Reporting Officer/s & Unit:

Dean Moriarity, Team Leader Policy Planning

 

1.1   Purpose of Report

a.   The purpose of this report is to follow up on the recent series of seminars held with Council between 19th March 2020 and the 25th June 2020 regarding the review of the District Plan; and

b.   For Council to approve the recommended policy approach for specific chapters so that officers can draft plan provisions within an agreed framework.

 

At the Meeting

The Team Leader Policy Planning spoke to the report, noting that this follows a series of workshops with Council, and captures the policy approach discussed at those times for formal adoption.

A public meeting is being arranged for  9 August 2020 regarding port noise.

A legislative update (National Policy Statement) which has impacts on the District Plan was released this week and comes into force immediately. There will be no minimum car parking requirements to be included in any District Plan across the country, so there is no mandatory requirement for developers to allow for car parking in any zones other than accessible car parks beyond 2022.

In response to questions from councillors it was clarified that:

·         Council will not be able to impose car parking requirements on developers locally but it is likely that car parking still be considered as most activities require some level of parks. Onsite parking has been the single biggest known hurdle to commercial and inner city development so it is possible that this has triggered the change.

·         It is possible that businesses may be in greater contact with Council’s Regulatory team around parking times outside their buildings as greater reliance on street parking develops over time.

·         Currently Council has a parking exemption area in town which may need to be worked through as there may be some rating implications.

·         A revisit of the parking strategy may be required, particularly in areas like Ahuriri, as greater public parking will need to be allowed for. 

·         Building heights are also touched on in the NPS, but there are only adjustments to Tier 1 areas (Napier being Tier 2). There is an increase in monitoring and reporting required, and if growth projections are not being met as requirement to notify MfE.

·         No impacts are anticipated on Napier’s heritage area and art deco buildings. Napier currently has quite a liberal approach to building height in central areas to act in an enabling way, but are not captured by the mandatory requirements to have taller buildings in town.

·         The public have access to information around the District Plan through open agendas. It was noted that the Plan is a work in progress and when it is at the point of being a Draft Plan this will be the best opportunity to see the updated proposals as a whole. However feedback is being sought in different ways from the public, including direct meetings in areas where the public may be more affected. Feedback will be separately reported through the Council at the next committee round.

 

Committee's recommendation

The Future Napier Committee:

a.     Endorse the recommended policy approach in the report, for preparing the Draft District Plan for the purposes of undertaking consultation and engagement with all interested parties within Napier.

 

 

 


 

2.    DISTRICT PLAN REVIEW - DRAFT CHAPTER: Special Zone: Te Whanganui-a-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary) Ecology and Stormwater Park

Type of Report:

Legal and Operational

Legal Reference:

Resource Management Act 1991

Document ID:

933479

Reporting Officer/s & Unit:

Yvonne Legarth, Policy Planner

 

2.1   Purpose of Report

To obtain the agreement of Council to remove the existing two zones that apply to land at Lagoon Farm in the operative district plan, and include a single special zone in the draft District Plan that implements a policy approach to achieve stormwater improvement and outcomes for the water quality and ecology of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary).

 

The policy approach will then form part of the draft district plan and, subject to Council resolution, will proceed to pubic consultation.

 

At the Meeting

The Policy Planner spoke to the report providing an overview of the matter at hand.

In response to questions from councillors it was clarified that:

·         Any future recreational pathway in the area is allowed for, but will have to meet the positioning requirements to protect the estuary and ensure separation from any water treatment activities

·         The District Plan is only one tool is this space which operates at a higher level; it other options such as da specific wetland would be required for more specific ecological development

 

Committee's recommendation

The Future Napier Committee:

a.     Endorse the replacement of the two zones that currently apply to land at Lagoon Farm in the operative district plan, with a single special zone in the draft District Plan that implements a policy and regulatory approach that controls activities to:

i.      achieve stormwater treatment and water quality improvements; and

ii.     ecological outcomes for the Te Whanganui-a-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary); and

iii.    provides for recreation and controls limited commercial activities to ensure these are compatible with the ecological values of the estuary.

 

3.    Adoption of Napier City Mobile Sign Bylaw

Type of Report:

Legal

Legal Reference:

Local Government Act 2002

Document ID:

942786

Reporting Officer/s & Unit:

Yvonne Legarth, Policy Planner

Rachael Horton, Manager Regulatory Solutions

 

3.1   Purpose of Report

To seek Council confirmation and adoption of the reviewed Mobile Sign Bylaw.

 

At the Meeting

The Manager Regulatory Solutions spoke to the report noting that the proposal is to adopt the Bylaw without amendment. Consultation has been undertaken and no submissions were received. There are also no complaints under the Bylaw such that would suggest the current setting is not fit for purpose.

In response to questions from councillors it was clarified that:

·         The business associations were not specifically spoken to as many of the signs in question are on trailers outside of the inner city area. 

 

Committee's recommendation

The Future Napier Committee:

a.     Note the information in the previous report to Council Meeting on 7 May 2020 that dealt with the need to review the Mobile Sign Bylaw 2013.

b.     Note that no submissions have been received on the proposal to continue the Mobile Sign Bylaw 2013 without amendment.  

c.     Confirm, in accordance with Section 155 of the Local Government Act 2002, that a Mobile Sign Bylaw 2020 is the most appropriate way of addressing the problems that mobile signs can have on:

i.      public and traffic safety

ii.     maintenance of aesthetic standards

iii.    control of offensive material on mobile signs

b.     Confirm that the Mobile Sign Bylaw is currently the most appropriate form of bylaw.

c.     Agree that the Mobile Sign Bylaw is not inconsistent with, or have any implications under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.

d.     Confirm that a further review of the Mobile Sign Bylaw 2020 is to be undertaken as part of the process to prepare a consolidated Napier City Council Urban Environment Bylaw.

e.     Adopt the Mobile Sign Bylaw 2020

 

 

 


 

4.    Civic Precinct Project Update

Type of Report:

Information

Legal Reference:

N/A

Document ID:

944857

Reporting Officer/s & Unit:

Fleur Lincoln, Strategic Planning Lead

 

4.1   Purpose of Report

This report is to provide an update on progress made, and next steps for the Civic Precinct Project.

 

At the Meeting

The Strategic Planning Lead spoke to the report, providing a brief background to the project. It is intended to engage an external consultant to develop a master plan for the precinct. The Deputy Mayor has been appointed to the steering group along with Councillors Chrystal and Wright. The first meeting is scheduled for next week and will focus on developing vision for the area.

In response to questions from councillors it was clarified that:

·         The master planning exercise is the first step in the process. While work has been undertaken in relation to costs, these will be further confirmed as the master planning becomes clearer. While it is clear that the civic building needs to be demolished there are more options in relation to the library.

The composition of the steering group was commended especially for the inclusion of mana whenua and youth.

 

Committee's recommendation

The Future Napier Committee:

a.     Receive the update provided on the Civic Precinct project

b.     Endorse the process to develop a Masterplan for the Precinct

 

 

 


 

5.    Anna Spencer Statue

Type of Report:

Procedural

Legal Reference:

N/A

Document ID:

946459

Reporting Officer/s & Unit:

Fleur Lincoln, Strategic Planning Lead

 

5.1   Purpose of Report

The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for the installation of the Anna Elizabeth Jerome Spencer statue within road reserve of Napier’s CBD.

 

At the Meeting

The Strategic Planning Lead spoke to the report providing some information on the NZ Womens’ institute and Ms Spencer. There is currently no specific policy in relation to managing such large gifted items. The matter has already been considered by the Arts Advisory Panel and previous CE.

In response to questions from councillors it was clarified that:

·         The group who approached Council has been working with the Transportation Team as well as the Strategic Planning Lead. The site has been assessed and it is not believed that visibility or safety will be impeded by the installation.

·         The link held by Ms Spencer with both the cathedral and Napier Girls’ High School makes the location particularly appropriate.

·         The gift is a significant one and of a person who has made a strong contribution to the city. The public are already very fond of the existing personalities captured in bronzes and it is anticipated that Ms Spencer will also attract positive attention.

Thanks were extended to the Womens’ Institute for the very special gift.

ACTION Investigate whether it was intended that the Emerson Street statues be a triple set including a male architect on a bike cycling up to meet the woman and child.

 

Committee's recommendation

The Future Napier Committee:

a.     Approve the acceptance of the gift to Napier City Council of the statue from the New Zealand Women’s Institute in perpetuity.

b.     Approve the installation of the Anna Elizabeth Jerome Spencer statue within road reserve on the corner of Cathedral Lane and Shakespeare Road, as well as a small storyboard detailing who Miss Spencer was, and her contribution to society.

 

 

 

6.    Napier Recovery Funding

Type of Report:

Information

Legal Reference:

N/A

Document ID:

942991

Reporting Officer/s & Unit:

Michele Grigg, Senior Advisor Policy

Dean Prebble, Economic Development Manager

 

6.1   Purpose of Report

To provide an update on two funds established to progress the aims of the Napier Recovery Plan.

 

At the Meeting

The Senior Advisor Policy spoke to the report, providing an update on two funds recently established to help support local recovery.

The funds are not contestable and will be available until funds run out or until July 2021. A good level of interest has already been seen and 16 applications have been received as of the morning of 30 July 2020. The applications have been received from a wide range of groups.

 

Committee's recommendation

The Future Napier Committee:

a.     Note the information on two recovery funds recently established, those being:

·      Recovery Projects Fund

·      Te Puawaitanga – Green Communities Together Fund

 

 

 


 

7.    Resource Consent Activity Report

Type of Report:

Information

Legal Reference:

Resource Management Act 1991

Document ID:

943179

Reporting Officer/s & Unit:

Luke Johnson, Team Leader Planning and Compliance

 

7.1   Purpose of Report

This report provides an update on recent activity within the resource consenting team. The report is provided for information purposes only for elected members, so that there is visibility of major projects and an opportunity for elected members to understand the process.

Applications are assessed by delegation through the RMA; it is not intended to have application outcome discussions as part of this paper.

This report only contains information which is lodged with Council and is publicly available.

 

At the Meeting

The Team Leader Planning and Compliance spoke to the report, noting that while resource consent applications did reduce during the COVID-19 response, since moving to Alert Level 1 there has been an upswing in applications. Specific applications were briefly touched on.

In response to questions from councillors it was clarified that:

·         Kainga ora developments will be included in the report moving forward where they meet the reporting criteria

 

Committee's recommendation

The Future Napier Committee:

a.     Note the resource consent activity update.

 

  

The meeting closed at 11.29am

 

 

Approved and adopted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

 

 

Chairperson .............................................................................................................................

 

 

Date of approval ......................................................................................................................