Give me the highlights
The District Plan contains definitions, objectives, policies and rules for permeable and impermeable surfaces, on-site stormwater management and site coverage in the Residential Zone, Large Lot Residential Zone and the Marae Development Zone.
The provisions are in the District Plan to ensure that the effects of stormwater are appropriately managed for each new development.
What’s the Issue?
There are several issues in relation to permeable and impermeable surfaces and stormwater management provisions in the District Plan. They can generally be grouped as follows:
- Ambiguous and unclear provisions (specifically the definitions)
- Cost to the home owner / builder through the resource consent process
Further, the rules relating to permeable and impermeable surfaces are inconsistent in their formatting and terminology.
In almost all cases, application for resource consent to breach the permeable surfaces rule, especially in the Cambridge North area, is approved.
What’s the Fix?
Council staff have considered the issues and have identified the following options for consideration.
- Option 1: Do nothing
- Option 2A: Amend the definitions and other provisions
- Option 2B: Change the threshold in the rule
- Option 2C: Change activity status
Option 1 is not a viable option as it is not appropriate to continue with ambiguous and confusing provisions.
Option 2 (a, b and c) are all viable because they would reduce ambiguity in the definitions and would have the benefit of improving effectiveness in other provisions.
