Proposed Plan Change 2

1. Overview

Consultation Status Date
Submissions Opened 3 November 2017 
Submissions Closed  5 December 2017 
Further Submissions Opened  2 February 2018 
Further Submissions Closed  19 February 2018 
Hearings  28 & 29 May 2018 
Decision Notified  31 August 2018 
Appeals Close  11 October 2018 
Plan Change Operative  1 November 2018 

Overview

Since the Horowhenua District Plan was reviewed in 2011/12 there has been a substantial change in the level of projected population and housing growth in the district. This lead to Council ‘testing’ some of the current District Plan provisions to understand whether they will be able to provide for anticipated growth in a sustainable way.

As a result of this some amendments were proposed to the Residential zone provisions in the District Plan. The proposed amendments relate to the Residential zone only and will apply to properties within the existing urban boundaries of our local towns (ie no re-zoning of land is proposed). The proposed amendments included:

  • Provision for sites between 500m2 and 900m2 in Levin, Foxton, Foxton Beach and Shannon to be subdivided and create infill lots of a minimum size of 250m2 as a Restricted Discretionary Activity, and consequential changes to relevant bulk and location controls;
  • Provision for up to two residential dwelling units on a site as a Permitted Activity (subject to compliance with conditions);
  • Specific provision to enable large-scale, integrated residential developments to be assessed in a comprehensive manner as a Restricted Discretionary Activity;
  • Minor corrections relating to the application of private outdoor living area and accessory building provisions, and removal of the title date pre-requisite condition relating to residential infill subdivision; 
  • Replacement of the Medium Density Residential Development Design Guide; and
  • Extension of the area to which the Medium Density Overlay applies in Levin.

The above changes only apply to properties in the Residential zone.

All residentially zoned properties across the district will be affected as the rule changes create different development opportunities for these properties. Although the effects of the proposed change to infill subdivision, enabling the creation of lots of 250m2, are limited to properties in Levin, Foxton, Foxton Beach and Shannon.

The proposed extension of the Medium Density Overlay area will only affect properties in Levin within the area identified.

While not everyone will have aspirations of developing, property owners need to be aware that the proposed changes could result in different levels of development on their neighbour’s properties.

Enquiries

If you have any questions about Proposed Plan Change 2 then you can email them to districtplan@horowhenua.govt.nz or call us on (06) 366 0999 and ask to speak to Lauren Baddock. 

2. Proposed Plan Change Documents

The Section 32 Report, the District Plan Text and Planning Map Amendments, the map showing the proposed extension of the Medium Density Overlay area and the proposed amendments to Chapters 6, 15 and 26 of the District Plan are all available to view below.

Section 32 Report(PDF, 165KB)

District Plan Text and Planning Map Amendments(PDF, 1MB)

Amended Medium Density Residential Development Design Guide(PDF, 2MB)

Map showing the Proposed Extension of the Medium Density Overlay Area(PDF, 3MB)

Amended Chapter 6(PDF, 248KB)

Amended Chapter 15(PDF, 243KB)

Amended Chapter 26(PDF, 192KB) 

3. Further Submissions

Further submissions on Plan Change 2 opened on 2 February 2018. Council received 19 submissions on Plan Change 2 during the first round of public consultation held in November and early December last year.

Further submissions were open to anyone, however, they can only support or oppose the original submissions made last year, and they cannot introduce new matters. Further submissions closed on 19 February 2018.

A summary and full copy of submissions is available to view below. Hard copies of these documents are available to view at Council’s main office in Levin (126 Oxford Street) and the libraries in Levin, Foxton and Shannon during usual opening hours.

Further Submissions Documents

Summary of Submissions (Ordered by Submitter)(PDF, 319KB)

Summary of Submissions (Ordered by Provision/Issue)(PDF, 331KB)

Full Copy of Submissions(PDF, 15MB)

Full Copy of Further Submissions(PDF, 3MB)

4. Hearings

The hearing of submissions on Plan Change 1 and Plan Change 2 took place on 28 May 2018. The planning report containing the reporting planner's recommendations on the submissions received is available below.

Section 42A Report(PDF, 564KB)

The Commissioners have issued the following memorandum closing the hearing:

Commissioner Minute 1 - 21 June 2018(PDF, 392KB)

5. Decision

Horowhenua District Council, at its meeting of 29 August 2018, authorised the decision on Proposed Plan Change 2 to the Operative Horowhenua District Plan (June 2015). A full copy of the decision on the Proposed Plan Change is available below.

Proposed Plan Change 2: Review of Residential Development Provisions - Decision(PDF, 7MB)

Any appeals on this decision had to be lodged with the Environment Court within 30 working days, by 11 October 2018, in accordance with Clause 11 of the First Schedule.

6. Operative Date

Horowhenua District Council, at its meeting of Wednesday 24 October 2018, authorised Proposed Plan Change 2 to be made operative from Thursday 1 November 2018.