“Cr Yani Johanson suggests writing to our local MP, Ruth Dyson, on this issue.”
It appears that not everybody is prepared to quietly accept the proposed zoning changes to our Heathcote horizon.
Multi-storey buildings, hotels, shops, homes and offices may be on the agenda for some, but not before our community gets a chance to have another say.
The Christchurch City Council has appealed the Environment Court's decision to allow the rezoning of the land around Ferrymead in the High Court. A result is expected in approximately two months.
In summary, the council's appeal, as set out by the Appeals Subcommittee, was based principally on the grounds of lack of evidence for various parts of the decision, such as the height limits. They also considered the Environment Court had misinterpreted the High Traffic Generator Rule and misapplied the policies relating to traffic impacts on the network, especially Ferry Rd. The court virtually ignored the traffic consequences of its decision.
Unless changed, the Environment Court's decision takes the land around the intersection of Humphrey's Drive and Ferry Rd out of the B4 zone and puts it into the B2 zone. Existing sites with this zoning have varying height limits depending on their location. Those that comprise the major malls and are surrounded by higher density housing zones, such as Westfield, Northlands and Eastgate have a height limit of 20 metres. Others have less.
It was the council's position that although the B2 zoning would be acceptable for the site, it was not a candidate for 20 metres. This view was based on an independent study that concluded 11 metres was sufficient for permitted activities because of the special characteristics of the area. Ferrymead is not seen as one of Christchurch's major centres and it isn't surrounded by higher density housing. The council was surprised the Environment Court appeared to ignore this evidence. They were also concerned by the lack of evidence presented by the developers in support of their request for a 20 metre limit and the lack of discussion into why the court chose to accept it.
This council's appeal has been applauded by the Heathcote Valley Community Association. At their June meeting it was moved that the association should write to the council to show its support for their actions. City Councillor Yani Johanson has also voiced his support and
to our local MP, Ruth Dyson, on this issue. He thinks "it is deeply unfair on the local community who have expectations that
the council's process would address the issue only to be undermined by this most recent Environment Court decision. The visual impact of the 20 metre height limits would have a major negative effect on the local environmental amenity".
