Purpose

This report covers my Waitematā Local Board Activities during December 2015 – January 2016 as Deputy Chair of the Waitematā Local Board Finance Committee; Deputy Chair of the Waitematā Local Board Hearings Committee; Lead of the Parks and Open Spaces portfolio; Heritage, Urban Design and Planning portfolio co-holder; Local Board representative on the K Road Business Association; and member of the Auckland Domain Committee. 

Executive Summary

• This report covers the months of December 2015 and January 2016 as Council has been in recess over the Christmas and New Years’ break and the first business meeting for the 2016 calendar year is in February
• Auckland Domain Committee met on 2 December to discuss Event Guidelines, Tree Management Plan, a consultation update on the Domain Masterplan, Auckland Bowling Club and adjacent parking, the naming of Pukekawa and a WWI Steering Group update
• Opening of Nelson Street Cycleway | Lightpath | Te Ara I Whiti on 3 December
• Local Board Business Meeting held on 8 December 2015
• Gave feedback by resolution WTM/2015/214 at 8 December to the Regulation and Bylaw Review Committee to endorse the retention of the grading provision of the Auckland Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013 and require the display of food safety grade certificates for food businesses registered with Auckland Council pursuant to the Food Act 2014
• On 16 December The Auckland City Centre Advisory Board voted to endorse a proposal intended to deal with High Street retailers’ concerns about the removal of Freyberg Lane in the course of the Freyberg Square upgrade by leaving the road in place and phasing out its use over time. Sitting as an alternate for Chair Chambers and with the unanimous support of the Local Board, I called for a division in the meeting and voted against the proposal with Cr Lee.
• The K Road Cycleway and public realm enhancement community reference group had its first meeting on 17 December 2015
• On 22 December 2015, I sat as the Local Board member on the four-commissioner panel to decide on the non-notified resource consent for the proposed development at 80 St Lukes Road, St Lukes, R/LUC/2015/529 and R/REG/2015/530, the Westfield/Scentre shopping mall expansion. The consent was granted with extensive conditions.
• Stage One of the Weona Walkway was completed on 22 December 2015. Stage 2 commences in February 2016
• Attended LGNZ Young Elected Members (YEM) Workshop in Wellington on ‘LGNZ 2050’, a sustainability-focused project led by the YEMs, on 22 January 2016
• I keep track of resource consent applications as they are received by Council, requesting further information, plans and Assessments of Environmental Effects for applications of interest. Significant applications are referred to the relevant residents’ associations for their input which I then relay to planners as part of the Local Board’s input. Reporting of resource consent applications, planning portfolio input, hearings and decisions in the Local Board area for this month is detailed in the Heritage, Urban Design and Planning section of this report under the headings ‘Planning’: ‘Resource Consents’

Comments

Opening of the Nelson Street Cycleway | Lightpath | Te Ara I Whiti

This is one of the most exciting projects of the 2013-2016 triennium. The $18m cycleway, which also caters for walkers, is being funded by the Government’s Urban Cycleways Programme and built in two phases. Phase 1 stretches from Upper Queen Street to Victoria Street and connects with the existing Northwestern Cycleway and Grafton Gully. Phase 2 of the cycleway will extend to Quay Street and be open by the middle of 2016.

Portfolio Report: Parks & Open Spaces

Portfolio Responsibilities

Decision-making for and oversight of local parks and public Council open spaces, including beaches, coastal walkways, reserves, sports fields, playgrounds, non-road reserve plazas and boat ramps. This includes location and naming of new parks, design and maintenance of park facilities and settings, and supporting community events and planting programmes in parks. Landowner consent delegation in respect of local parks and open spaces. Regulatory and policy oversight of local dog management. Advocacy to achieve local priorities relating to parks network development and input into the management and use of regional parks located within the local area.

Auckland Domain Committee

The Auckland Domain Committee met on 2 December to discuss Event Guidelines, the Tree Management Plan, a consultation update on the Domain Masterplan, Auckland Bowling Club and adjacent parking, the naming of Pukekawa and a WWI Steering Group update. The formal launch of the draft Masterplan for public consultation will take place in February. There will be mail drop to neighbours, local newspaper advertising and an open day at the Domain on Saturday 13 February to provide information on the draft Masterplan and seek feedback on the plan and its proposals. The feedback period will run from 29 January to 29 February 2016.

Weona Walkway

Construction has finished on stage 1 and boundary fencing is underway. The walkway was opened at the Westmere Road entrance at Christmas. The remainder of the walkway will remain closed until the Code of Compliance Certificate is issued and the boundary fences are completed. Both of these items are expected to be finalised by early February 2016.

Stage 2 – boardwalk construction should commence early February 2016. Access and storage for this stage will be required at the Weona Street entrance. Staff will work with the contractors to facilitate pedestrian access at this entrance over summer but given difficulties with site access and the narrow walkway area this may not be possible. The Westmere Road entrance will remain open, however, so residents will be able to use that end of the walkway and gain access to the water and the low tide route around to Westmere Park.

Update by Sarah Peters, Volunteer and Biodiversity Coordinator as at 22 December 2015

Volunteer Animal Pest Control: rodents and possums

• Animal pest control activities continued for the first two weeks of December at: Auckland Domain; Newmarket Park; Alberon Reserve; Lemington Reserve; Tirotai Reserve.
• Traps were disarmed in mid-December for the summer break from trapping. Activities will re-commence as usual at the beginning of March 2016.

Symonds St Cemetery: 9 December

• Organised by Lynda Lucas, a group from Auckland Live spent several hours working in Symonds St Cemetery.

Western Springs Outer Field Litter Clean-up: 21 December

• Staff from the Langham Hotel collected around 7kg of rubbish (mainly plastic) from Western Springs Outer Field.

Arch Hill Scenic Reserve Litter Clean-up: 22 December

• A second group of Langham staff carried out a litter clean-up at Arch Hill Scenic Reserve.

Portfolio Report: Heritage, Urban Design & Planning

Portfolio Responsibilities

Heritage, Urban Design and Planning covers a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory activities including city planning and growth, heritage protection, urban design requirements, Local Board resource consent application input, and bylaw development, including advocacy to achieve local priorities relating to heritage preservation, good urban design and spatial planning. Regulatory and policy oversight of local liquor licensing, signs & billboards, and brothels.

Heritage 

Seismic Exemplar Project

The first phase was of this project was a guidance document aimed at the public, particularly the owners of older earthquake-prone buildings. The Earthquake Prone Buildings Guidance and Approaches document was approved for publication at the 11 August 2015 business meeting by resolution WTM/2015/118. All content changes to the document have been finalized and the final design is in progress.  The designed version should be available in December for internet release. Now that the handbook has been completed, the Seismic Exemplar Project is in its second phase with work commencing on the Detailed Seismic Assessment of 27 Princes Street by EQ Struc.  The project team met on 11 September 2015 to confirm the project scope and roles between Council departments.  A project plan is being revised with updated timeframes for completion of the work. The Property Department has completed the tender process for a larger exemplar project involving three properties in the heritage asset portfolio. These properties include the Domain Wintergarden “cool” house, the Symonds Street public toilets, and the former Devonport Borough Council Chambers. These three will be tendered for next year. A letter of detailed assessment is expected by December, concept design by January and a target for lodgement of a resource consent by April 2016.

Heritage Foreshore Project

This project is comprised of 25 signage sites that will mark significant sites along the original shoreline of the Waitematā area which is remarkably different from that of the present day. Resource consent R/LUC/2015/2474 has been granted for this work and drafts of the proposed signage were shown to the portfolio holders at our meeting of 26 November 2015. They look very impressive and are now going to finalised proofing and design.

Urban Design

Pioneer Women’s Centre & Ellen Melville Hall and Freyberg Square

Image credit: Auckland Council

Image credit: Auckland Council

Image credit: Auckland Council

The plans are being further consulted in targeted sessions with Heart of the City and High Street retailers in the hope of finding a solution that is acceptable to all, particularly with regard to the closing of Freyberg Place. The proposal publicly consulted and supported by 84% of submitters was to close the lane and keep the square entirely free of traffic. However, some retailers in the area were unhappy with losing this shortcut. At the City Centre Advisory Board (CCAB) workshop and meeting on 16 December 2015 (I attended as the delegate of the Local Board in place of Chair Shale Chambers), the CCAB voted for a compromise proposal recommended by officers to keep Freyberg Lane open to traffic with an end goal of phasing out its use with an eventual closure. The resolution proposes that the lane will be open and closed for specific events, then closed and open only by permission and finally closed altogether. It is envisioned that this will take place over 3-5 years. Councillor Lee and I voted against the amended proposal.

Planning

Regulatory

Food Safety Bylaw 2013 repeal by Food Act 2014

From 1 March 2016 the Food Act 2014 (“the Act”) will replace the Food Act 1981 and Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 over a three year transition period. The Act requires the amendment of existing food safety bylaws in order to ensure consistency with the new regulatory regime for food businesses. A formal public consultation process is not required for this bylaw review. Staff consider that most of the existing Bylaw provisions can be revoked as the activities will be regulated by new provisions in the Act and subsequent regulations. National food safety grading will not be implemented through the new Act, although there is potential for the development of a national scheme after 2019. Council staff sought the endorsement of local boards on the proposal to retain the Bylaw provisions that require the display of a food safety grade certificate for food businesses registered with the council. A proposed amended bylaw will be presented to the Regulatory and Bylaws Committee, then to the Governing Body in February 2016 for a decision. Our feedback to be included in the accompanying report was that we support officer recommendations to endorse the retention of the grading provision of the Auckland Council Food Safety Bylaw 2013 and require the display of food safety grade certificates for food businesses registered with Auckland Council pursuant to the Food Act 2014.

Resource Consents

The portfolio request information on resource consent applications of interest as a matter of course. The Local Board can have input into the decision on public notification of a resource consent application but not into the substantive matters of the application. The input of the Local Board is not binding on the commissioner making the decision. Nonetheless, on some significant applications we will include substantive comments along with our views on notification.

• R/BEX/2015/4792, 25-27 Quay Street, Auckland Central. The proposal is for a new free- standing digital billboard on the Z Energy petrol site. The proposed billboard is 9m x 3m with a height above ground level of 3m (to the bottom of the display area.) Dispensation is required under the Billboards Bylaw (2007) for a billboard that is free standing within 2 metres of a side boundary; contains variable messages and exceeds the maximum brightness levels, with 800 cds/m² permitted and 6000 cds/m² proposed during daylight hours. The maximum brightness level would not be exceeded during night time hours.  Digital billboards are relatively new technology and were not anticipated by the current bylaw. As such,  the current bylaw illumination threshold (800cds/m²) is based on the illumination of a static billboard generally during the hours of darkness when surrounding ambient lighting level is relatively low. However, for images on an LED billboard to be visible during normal day light hours the only option is to increase the intensity of the image above 800 cds/m². The PAUP does acknowledge and provide for digital billboards and enables (among other things) a maximum luminance of 5000cds/m². We are waiting on a more detailed report regarding the luminance effects.
• R/REG/2015/4822, 31 Westhaven Drive, Auckland Central. The application proposes to extend the existing floating pontoon of Pier Z to provide for two new pontoon marina berths. This specifically involves a floating pontoon measuring 9m in length and 2.1m in width (18.9m²) and a ‘finger’ (also floating) measuring 18.15m in length and 1.55m in width (18.15m²). Two piles are proposed to secure the pontoons, embedded to a depth of 3.3m. Consent is required for the expansion of the marina beyond the boundaries of its respective Marina Management Area, the erection of new structures within the General Management Area, and for any activity that is not provided for by Rules 11.5.1-4. Overall, the application requires a discretionary activity consent under the Operative Regional Plan: Coastal. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/BEX/2015/4851, 13-21 Hobson Street, Auckland Central. The proposal is for a new wall-mounted digital billboard on the Fanshawe Street façade of the existing Vector substation. The billboard is approximately 7.5m by 2.5m (18.75m²). Dispensation is required under the Billboards Bylaw (2007) for a billboard that contains variable messages and exceeds the maximum brightness levels, with 800 cds/m² permitted and 6000 cds/m² proposed during daylight hours. The maximum brightness level would not be exceeded during night time hours. Digital billboards are relatively new technology and were not anticipated by the current bylaw. As such,  the current bylaw illumination threshold (800cds/m²) is based on the illumination of a static billboard generally during the hours of darkness when surrounding ambient lighting level is relatively low. However, for images on an LED billboard to be visible during normal day light hours the only option is to increase the intensity of the image above 800 cds/m². The PAUP does acknowledge and provide for digital billboards and enables (among other things) a maximum luminance of 5000cds/m². We are waiting on a more detailed report regarding the luminance effects.
• R/LUC/201/4762, 12 Collingwood St, Freemans bay. Extension to an upper level deck at the rear of the house. The Council’s Conservation Architect has advised that this raises no special character concerns. The application is on hold to confirm calculations of coverages  (building and paved impermeable surface) and to assess stormwater arrangements. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/VCC/2003/11909/3, 114-116 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby. The applicant, DHHL seeks consent to enable the legally established café on the site (currently trading as Santos Cafe) to be used for as an extension of the existing ‘Long Room’ tavern activity during the evening from 8pm to 3am, whilst remaining as a café during its current daytime hours of operation. The cafe’s area is 32.2m² and the lane way connecting the cafe to Long Room’s courtyard is 30.7m². The purpose of this proposed increase in floor area is to provide capability for another 50 patrons on the premises. As a result of the above, DHHL seeks a variation consent pursuant to Section 127(i) of the Resource Management Act 1991 to change condition (1) of R/LUC/2003/11909 relating to the proposal being in accordance with the approved plans. Changing condition (1) will enable the cafe to be included as part of the existing tavern activity during the evening hours. The process of this application is ongoing at the time of this report.
• R/LUC/2015/4795, 128 Crummer Road, Ponsonby. The application is for additions to the rear of the house and the front of the house will not be altered. Most of the additions will be under the roof line and not be visible from the streetscape. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/4811, 133 New North Road, Newton. Resource consent includes additions and alterations to an existing mixed-use zoned building. The addition includes 9 new residential units and a carparking shortfall. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/VCC/2014/3969/1, 18 Cockburn Street, Grey Lynn. The proposal involves a variation to the original consent (R/LUC/2014/3969) for additions and alterations to the existing dwelling. There will be an extension on the southern side of the dwelling, however this will be a reduction in the size and bulk of the original consent. The existing form of the roof will be retained, and the gable addition to the roof on the original consent has also been removed. The proposed garage and vehicle crossing will no longer be in the rear yard, and will be moved to basement garage under the house. There will be no further development control infringements over and above what has already been consented. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/4800, 7 Tutanekai Street, Grey Lynn. The subject site is Residential 1 and therefore any additions and alterations to existing buildings will trigger resource consent. The proposal includes the following: proposed change in pitch to existing kitchen roof; new decking to rear of the existing dwelling; new basement storage area under existing kitchen; kitchen upgrade and new windows. Council’s heritage architect has assessed this application and requested that some changes be made to the roof form so that the new roof does not clash with the existing original eaves. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/VCC/2015/1994/1, 52-54 Sale Street, Auckland Central. Variation to facade, increase unit and  carpark numbers. This application seeks to vary the approved resource consent R/LUC/2015/1994 (and associated discharge to land and water R/REG/2015/1995) approved 3 July  2015 which provided for  demolition of the existing building on site and construction a new eight storey building with a ground floor commercial tenancy, 14 permanent accommodation units over 7 levels and 28 parking spaces at basement and ground floor levels. A change to condition 1 is sought to accommodate design changes as a result of an increase in apartments from 14 to 17 which results in a different articulation to the Sale Street facing elevation to accommodate the different apartment layouts on Level 1-3 and their respective balconies. The variation also includes a decrease to the size of the ground floor retail tenancy and resultant increase in carpark level B2 providing an additional 2 carparks in a stacked parking arrangement. The overall carpark numbers increases from 28 to 30.  Consent is required as a discretionary activity pursuant to section 127 of the RMA. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/4975, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central. The application is for a ‘blanket’ resource consent for a series of modifications to the interior of the St Kevin’s Arcade building. These modifications include new electrical wiring, penetrations for mechanical extractions/services, removal of walls to amalgamate tenancies, construction of internal walls, installation of kitchens and preparation areas and fire protection. The alterations are internal and relate to existing tenancies 11 to 18, to allow for the conversion from shop units to food and beverage tenancies. Consent is required for alterations to a Category B scheduled heritage building under the Operative District Plan and Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. Overall, consent is required as a discretionary activity. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/TRC/2015/4858, 3-9 New Street, Ponsonby. Removal of one Magnolia sp. tree. The Council arborist’s advice was that this was a small tree in poor condition and he supported removal. Consent granted by the duty commissioner.
• R/LUC/2015/4955, 22 Tole Street, Ponsonby. Alterations to a  Residential 1 zone dwelling. The proposal is to have additions and alterations to the existing dwelling which involves a basement level addition with a double garage underneath the dwelling. The existing carport and sleepout at the rear will be removed and a new patio, pool, outdoor fireplace and landscaped area is proposed at the rear. The proposal will not increase the height of the existing dwelling or increase the existing footprint of the dwelling as the works will be underneath with mostly excavation required. A new driveway is also proposed and a 1.6m high fence in the front yard. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/VCC/2012/3145/21, 16 Vinegar Lane, Grey Lynn. This is a second variation to an approved development within the Vinegar Lane Precinct Development (Lot 15). The rooftop projections will exceed the permitted allowance of 15 metres but will not exceed what has already been approved under R/VCC/2012/3145/13. Grey Lynn and Arch Hill Residents’ Association leaders were contacted for comment; as no significant concerns were raised by them we did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/1624, 214-218 Jervois Road, Parnell. The proposal involves carrying out alterations to the existing building to accommodate 10 residential units, a retail unit and associated car parking (12). The building is located along Jervois Road and falls within the Business 2 and Conservation Area overlay.  Reasons for consent include but are not limited to: car parking shortfall, minimum unit sizes, outlook areas, HIRTB, alterations to a conservation area building / site. Local board trigger is due to car parking shortfall, activity along Jervois Road and previous Local Board input on a similar proposal for 8 residential units and two retail units for which consent was granted in 2012 (however this is yet to be implemented on site). This involved, among other matters, a 15-space car parking shortfall, additions and alterations to a conservation area building. Key differences are an additional level on the rear extension, internal alterations, additional units and a change in roof form for the level above the existing building. I am still in correspondence with the planner responsible for this application.
• R/VCC/2015/2802/1, 38 Fort Street, Auckland Central. Application to infringe maximum floor area ratio due to modified layout of three floors for retail use. The previous application complied. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5004, 21 Elgin Street, Grey Lynn. The site is within a Conservation Area under the District Plan and Historic Heritage Extent of Place [rcp] – 2517, Elgin Street Historic Heritage Area under the PAUP. The proposal involves the following: removal of the rear chimney; additions and extension of the building and deck at the rear of the site; relocation/replacement of windows north and south façade (not visible from the street); no changes are proposed at the street facing façade, except for the rear chimney which is a marginal presence from the street. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5034 , 64 Sussex Street, Grey Lynn. Additions and alterations – changes to all facades, with the most changes occurring at the north, south and west elevations. Minor changes at the street facing façade, as well as removal of the existing chimney with no replica proposed. Infringes on earthworks, coverage, permeable surface, impermeable surface, parking and front yard setback. Most additions to occur at the rear of the site. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5042, 21A Logan Terrace, Parnell. As part of granting landowner consent, the Parks portfolio obtained the agreement on the applicants to use of a recessive colour for painting the house and weed control, planting and maintenance of Takutai reserve for two years at significant cost to the owners using Council’s nominated contractor. We did not have further input into the notification decision as the Local Board’s main concerns were dealt with in the landowner consent.
• R/LUC/2015/4971, 19-23 Anzac Avenue, Auckland Central. Conversion of 14 units to permanent accommodation. Consent is sought to convert 14 units in an existing building to permanent accommodation. Overall consent is required as a restricted controlled activity for the conversion of floor space to accommodation and a restricted discretionary activity for infringements of 5 units that do not meet the minimum floor areas for a 2 bedroom unit (by 3.3m2) ; 5 units that infringe the daylight control to living and  bedrooms by 0.66m²; and 3 units that do not provide the required outlook from living rooms. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5015, 1 Halsey Street, Auckland Central. Demolition of existing building. The proposal involves the demolition of the existing building at 1 Halsey Street, Auckland Central. No land disturbance will occur as the proposed demolition is to the ground floor slab only. Consent is required for the demolition as a restricted controlled activity and the alteration to a building within 50m of a scheduled site or place of value to Mana Whenua as a discretionary activity. The applicant has carried out iwi consultation prior to lodgement and there were no objections by the 13 iwi groups. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/4960, 37 Sherwood Avenue, Grey Lynn. Dwelling exceeds height in relation to Boundary control to east and west. The applicant seeks resource consent to construct a second storey on top of an existing single storey house. The applicant also proposes to undertake significant changes to the northern elevation which includes a new gable end roof. There will be internal alterations and a new sliding vehicle gate installed to side of the house. The proposal will infringe the height in relation to boundary recession plane along the eastern and western boundaries. Written approval has been sought for and obtained for the infringement from the neighbours immediately adjacent to the east and west. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5046, 10 Leighton Street, Grey Lynn. HIRB infringement on southern boundary. New timber deck to connect to existing deck area on the back (east) of the house. To be accessed via some new timber joinery French doors from the dining area, replacing the window. A site visit identified that a pergola has been constructed in the rear yard. This is to be consented as part of this consent- building coverage infringement and new building in a res 1 zone. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5034, 64 Sussex Street, Grey Lynn. Exceeds height in relation to boundary control to south, exceeds maximum site coverage, exceeds maximum paved coverage, shortfall in landscaping, parking in front yard setback, earthworks. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5025, 8 Schofield Street, Grey Lynn. Exceeds maximum site coverage, shortfall in landscaping, shortfall in front yard landscaping, parking in front yard setback, building in front yard setback. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5033, 40 Hamilton Road, Herne Bay. Alteration to an existing dwelling. The site in question is a rear site located down a lengthy right-of-way off Hamilton Rd. The application is for minor alterations to part of the rear of the existing dwelling, being a 1.1m2 ground floor extension to allow a corner window to be added to the existing family room. The existing glass roof over the family room/kitchen will be removed and replaced with an iron roof of the same size, matching the materials and pitch of the rest of the dwelling. Other minor work includes remodelling part of the internal layout to provide for a larger kitchen and new laundry/toilet in the south-west corner. All external materials will match existing weatherboard and timber joinery. In addition there is a small extension to an existing patio and an existing deck, connecting to an in-ground swimming pool. The works are of a very minor nature, will not be visible from any adjoining properties or the road, and will have minimal adverse effects.  No works are proposed to the first floor level of the dwelling, nor any other section of the existing dwelling. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5127, 39 Union Street, Auckland Central. Additional two storeys on an approved building. The application  proposes the addition of two floors (new Levels 13 and 14) to an approved tower block, marketed as “The Rise” and forming a part of the residential apartment complex known as “Union Green”.  The additional two floors will cater for six penthouse apartments comprising four two bedroom units on Level 13 and two three bedroom units on level 14.  The proposal is seeking a total GFA of 19,339m². This represents an FAR of 5.12:1 whereas the maximum permitted MTFAR is 5:1 (exceeding MTFAR by 459m².) The consented development provides for a building height of 40m and the proposal seeks consent for an additional 5m resulting in an overall height of 45m.  Under the provisions of Operative Plan the permitted height is 35m and under the  Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP), the maximum permitted building height is 45m. Consent is required for the erection of a new building and modification of both MTFAR and maximum height. Overall the application is a non-complying activity. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2015/5264, 381 Queen Street, Auckland Central. The proposal involves the seismic strengthening of the Myers Park Kindergarten to bring it from less than 33% earthquake prone to the required 67%.  Consent is required for a discretionary activity for alterations to a scheduled building under Operative Plan and the PAUP.  It is also a Category II listed building with Heritage New Zealand (HNZ). We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/REG/2015/5280, 210 Federal Street, Auckland Central. Demolition of building, construct retail and 313 unit accommodation building. The proposal involves the demolition of the existing building at 210 Federal Street, and the construction of a new 17 storey building for retail and residential activity (313 units). Consent is required for the demolition of the existing building, construction of a new building, providing 88% studio and one bedroom apartments within the building where 70% is permitted, a shortfall of two loading spaces, driveway not meeting the grade/platform requirements, and work within the root zone of scheduled and protected trees. Consent is required for earthworks and groundwater diversion under the PAUP as restricted discretionary and discretionary activities respectively. The project went to the Urban Design Panel late last year and the applicant is now working through the design issues.
• R/LUC/2016/37, 105-107 Symonds Street, Auckland Central. Consent is sought to repair and conserve the Owens Family grave located in the Symonds Street Cemetery; the works are intended to restore the grave site to its original state. Overall consent is required as a discretionary activity for earthworks on a scheduled site subject to archaeological controls and works in the dripline of trees (noting the earthworks are approximately 1m²).  The applicant has been in discussions and consultation with the Parks Department, Heritage Division and Heritage New Zealand for the last 3 years regarding the proposed restoration works and has obtained Landowner Approval from Parks for the works. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/VCC/2015/1191/1, 10 Mackelvie Street, Grey Lynn. Variation to Condition 1(a) of underlying consents R/LUC/2014/1930 & R/LUC/2014/1931 for 5-storey apartment building. Including changes to internal layout of the building (including 2 apartment units), changes to the exterior glazing of the building, increase of parking spaces from 28 to 35 spaces, increase in height to a maximum of 0.49m. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/VCC/2015/139/2, 44 Khyber Pass Road, Eden Terrace. A variation (s127 RMA) application which involves establishing residential units on the lower levels which had been approved as commercial units. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2016/101, 75 Sarsfield Street, Herne Bay. The proposal is to remove the existing building with three units and construct a new one unit dwelling. Please note that the site has the Pre-1944 Building Demolition Control overlay under the PAUP. However, the building was constructed in 1995. It is also zoned Residential. The proposal is over the maximum height for the zone. The maximum permitted height is 10m and the proposal will be 10.3m in height. We did not have input into the notification decision.
• R/LUC/2016/201 at 32-42 Wellesley Street West, Auckland Central. Auckland Council seeks consent to demolish the Griffiths building on the corner of Wellesley Street and Mayoral Drive to foundation slab level. The demolition is necessary due to the structural instability of the building. The building is not scheduled under the Operative Plan or the PAUP (nor is it listed by Heritage New Zealand), therefore there are no heritage or archaeological consent triggers in regards to the resource consent application however Council’s Heritage specialists have agreed with the applicant that some of the original brickworks and other items will be saved. Overall consent is required as a discretionary activity for the following matters: demolition of a building ; works above the rootzone (within the canopy area) of a scheduled Tulip and within the dripline of a street tree.  Input is pending at the time of this report.
• R/LUC/2016/195 at 37-55 Madden Street, Auckland Central. The Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust seeks consent to establish an educational facility and associated facilities on the site to educate the community about marine debris and water quality. Resource consent is required to address a number of matters including the building design; modification to the development controls relating to the verandah control, street frontage alignment and height controls; provision of no loading space; use of the site in a risk sensitive area; and a building exceeding a gross floor area of 100m² . Overall consent is required for a restricted discretionary activity. Input is pending at the time of this report.
• R/LUC/2016/228, 145-147 Nelson Street, Auckland Central. This application relates to the approved “Sugartree” development.  The application by Lily Nelson Altro LP seeks consent to set back the approved building from the northern boundary (outside of an adjacent access easement), thus removing 59m² of GFA per storey (basically one apartment per storey).  The GFA removed is reallocated to a reconfigured 13^th storey and a new 14^th storey (in part – reflecting the stepped nature of the site).  This results in an MTFAR exceedance of 378m² and an infringement of maximum permitted height which varies by 1m to 4m over the length of the building.  Consents sought include Erection of buildings (Restricted Discretionary);Modification of maximum 35m height (Restricted Discretionary); Modification of Frontage Alignment & Height (already consented for the Stage 3 Building) (Restricted Discretionary);Modification of Accommodation standards – Unit sizes (already consented for the Stage 3 Building) (Restricted Discretionary);and Modification of Site Intensity Control (Non-complying.) Overall the application is a Non-Complying activity. Input is pending at the time of this report.

Resource Consent Matters of Significance

Decision: Re-Zoning of Queen Elizabeth Square (Plan Modification 79) APPROVED

Queen Elizabeth Square has been re-zoned pursuant to a private plan change initiated by Precinct Properties as part of their re-build of the Downtown Shopping Centre.

The decision of commissioners is as follows:

‘Plan Modification 79 to the Auckland Council District Plan – Central Area Section 2005 is Approved …

The reasons for our decision (in summary only …) are:

• the plan change better meets the objectives and policies of the district plan
• there is resource management merit in the proposal to replace the wider Queen Elizabeth Square with an activated pedestrian area and fund alternative open space areas in the vicinity;
• the rule amendments provide an appropriate addition to the generally prevailing zone requirements; and
• those rule amendments have been assessed as being both effective and efficient in terms of the pedestrian activity objectives, and the plan change clearly adds to the economic and employment options available from the site. We are satisfied that the further requirements of s32AA of the RMA have been met through the hearing process (s32AA(1)(d)(ii)).

Submitters will have 30 working days from 22 January to lodge any appeal with the Environment Court.

Housing Project Office Special Housing Area consent: 199 Great North Road, Grey Lynn

R/LUC/2016/56. Construction of a mixed use development – including 34 residential apartments and five townhouse units – on the corner of Great North Road and Turakina Street.

East Gallery renovation – Auckland War Memorial Museum

R/LUC/2016/136. The proposed works are internal works to the Cenotaph East Gallery. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is a Category A scheduled building under the District Plan – Isthmus Section, and under the PAUP. In addition, the building is scheduled as a Category 1 building by Heritage New Zealand. The application material indicates that the proposal has been worked through in consultation with Auckland Council Heritage Architects, as well as with Heritage New Zealand. The proposal involves internal works, being conservation works and repairs to the heritage fabric, as well as the creation of a new gallery within the existing space for the ‘remembrance and reflection of New Zealand’s history in the First World War’. We requested limited notification to the RSA because of their detailed involvement with this part of the museum, warranting their consultation and input.

Proposed apartment building at 26 Poynton Terrace

R/LUC/2015/4370, R/REG/2015/4371, 26 Poynton Terrace, Auckland Central. Construct a 10-storey apartment building with basement. To construct a 12-level apartment building with a two-level basement and parking for 28 cars. The proposed building will essentially be the same as the previously consented 8-level apartment building with the exception of the conversion of the enclosed garden terrace into an extra 2 levels of six apartment units. Additional floor area is a result of an increased site area having purchased additional 425m² of land adjacent to the site. Consent matters include: erection of a new building; parking manoeuvring and access;  no loading space provided, earthworks and groundwater.  The exterior design has been modified to the extent that I have asked for it to be re-assessed by the Urban Design Panel. R/LUC/2015/4806 & R/REG/2015/4807: The application is to construct a 10- level apartment building with  a two-level basement and parking for 28 cars. The proposed building will essentially be the same as the previously consented 8- level apartment building (2 basement levels) with the exception of the conversion of the enclosed garden terrace into an extra 2 levels of six apartment units.  The addition floor area is a result of an increased site area having purchased additional 425m2 of land adjacent to the site. Consent matters include: erection of a new building; parking manoeuvring and access;  no loading space provided, earthworks and groundwater.  Overall the application is a restricted discretionary activity. Overall the application is a restricted discretionary activity. Currently on hold after not being accepted for lack of detail. The urban designer who had input on the original consent will also be looking at the new application to re-assess.

Queens Wharf ‘Container Village’

R/REG/2015/4693, 85-89 Quay Street, Auckland Central. The application is for a ‘container village’ on Queens Wharf, comprising eight new containers and utilising three existing containers. It is anticipated that there will be a range of food and beverage and retail activity between the eight new containers, and the remaining three will be used for storage, rubbish and an information kiosk. The container village is proposed to operate seven days a week (6.00am to 10.00pm). Consent is required for retail activity, structures within the view protection areas, and port-a-loos within the 10m perimeter access way required around Queens Wharf. Overall, consent is required as a non-complying activity under the Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal and as a discretionary activity under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. We asked for public notification given the significance and sensitivity of the site. The application was approved on 15 December 2015 on a non-notified basis.

50 level mixed-use building at corner of Customs and Fort Streets

R/LUC/2015/4950; R/REG/2015/4951; R/REG/2015/4952, 69-105 Customs Street East, Auckland Central. The application proposes the construction of a 50 level mixed use development incorporating ground floor commercial retail and food & beverage tenancies (both in lobby and adjacent lane) and a variety of residential unit types on the upper floors.  Provision is made for District Plan compliant car parking in both above ground and basement parking.  The site includes the former Rose & Crown Tavern and this building, which is scheduled for protection will remain.  Ballantyne House which is situated on the corner of Customs Street and Fort Street will also remain but is proposed to be refurbished and used as a boutique hotel.  Retail and food & beverage outlets will occupy ground floor tenancies. Consents are required for a range of District Plan, Regional and PAUP reasons including: demolition of existing buildings; traffic related matters (parking & access); heritage; erection of a new building; modification of frontage height & setback and MTFAR; contamination (NES) and discharges; and earthworks.  Overall, consent is required as a non-complying activity. We did not have input into the notification decision.

Regulatory

Constituent Complaint About Signage on Fences in Parnell

I received a complaint from the Parnell Community Committee – in public forum at the Local Board’s November 2015 business meeting – about inappropriate signage on a fence in front of a vacant lot at 526 Parnell Road, Parnell and a fence in front of a building site at 12 Glanville Terrace, Parnell. Both fences are hired by the property owners and advertise the services of the hire company. The Committee is concerned that the signs impact adversely on the visual amenity of the streets on which they are sited. I made enquiries with the Bylaws team about compliance with the Signs Bylaw 2015 and the responsible officer responded that they had investigated the 526 Parnell Road matter in October and found that the signs were not in breach of the Signs Bylaw, as the cloth, which is part of the fence (to prevent sand and dust from the construction site escaping onto the road) advertises the fence being used on the site. I will continue to make enquiries about this matter as I am not entirely satisfied with the reasoning provided. The signage on the fence at 12 Glanville Terrace was removed (pictured).

Meetings / Events Attended / Appearances

2015

1 December:

• Local Board Workshop
• Lighting of Franklin Road Christmas Lights

2 December:

• Auckland Domain Committee workshop

3 December

• Opening of Nelson Street Cycleway | Lightpath | Te Ara I Whiti

8 December:

• Local Board Business Meeting

9 December:

• Sponsorship workshop for Grey Lynn Park Pump Track
• Parks Portfolio Monthly Meeting

10 December:

• Local Board workshop

16 December:

• Auckland City Centre Advisory Board workshop and meeting

17 December:

• Parks portfolio
• Karangahape Road cycleway and public realm enhancement community reference group meeting

22 December:

• Sat as resource consent commissioner on application to expand the St Luke’s Westfield shopping centre

2016

11 January:

• Appeared as a panellist on NewstalkZB’s ‘The Huddle’ with Larry Williams

18 January:

• Appeared as a panellist on NewstalkZB’s ‘The Huddle’ with Larry Williams

22 January:

• Attended LGNZ Young Elected Members (YEM) Workshop in Wellington on ‘LGNZ 2050’, a sustainability-focused project led by the YEMs

26 January:

• Victoria Park entranceway – Fanshawe Street Bus Stops meeting to assess the extent to which encroachment on the park is acceptable.

28 January:

• Finance Committee portfolio meeting