Month: May 2013

Resolutions to the Special Character Zone

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Work Underway on the SCZ

 

While considerations and deliberations over Manukau are underway, another piece of work that I undertook with the Unitary Plan is also being worked on. Last month I gave a presentation to the Orakei Local Board in regards to concerns by St Heliers over Unitary Plan development in their area. Hence the Special Character Zone was born, and the Centralised Master Community Plan brought back out of the cupboard.

Two resolutions were passed by the Local Board that night and the SCZ work strengthened before it is taken around the rest of Auckland. The resolutions were (and is on public record):

OR/2013/84 Unitary Plan Zoning Issues
FILE REF CP2013/08075
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9.4
 
MOVED by Member DEC Simpson, seconded Member M Thomas:
a)      That the Orakei Local Board thanks Benjamin Ross for his presentation and asks his permission to forward the presentation to key stakeholders to possibly consider when they make their submissions to the Unitary Plan.
b)      That the Orakei Local Board asks regional and local planning officers for comment on the feasibility of Mr Ross’ proposed Special Character Zones (SCZ) and Centralised Master Community Plans (CMCP).

 

The Abridged Version of the SCZ-CMCP Presentation can be found in the embed below:

 

So now I await the officer feedback on the proposals. This will be important before the concept is taken to the Albert-Eden Local Board as a potential solution to the Mt Eden Village situation that is still unfolding. In the mean time submission compiling and writing continues

 

BEN ROSS : AUCKLAND

BR:AKL: Bring Well Managed Progress

The Unitary Plan: Bringing Change

Auckland: 2013 – OUR CITY, OUR CALL

 

 

Catch Up

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After a Busy Day

 

Another one is in store

 

Yesterday was a busy day for me in the CBD with the Manukau as The Second CBD presentation to the Auckland Plan Committee, and the Generation Zero Unitary Plan Youth Event. Monday night was the Karaka Collective presentation on the Karaka North and West Rural Urban Boundary and THAT bridge which I also need to write up on.

As a result I need to catch up on a few emails and blog post of the events, as well as what is coming up next with the Unitary Plan

 

BR:AKL Commentary will cover today and tomorrow:

  • The Karaka Collective Presentation on Monday night (must request the presentation from Peter Fuller)
  • The Manukau as the Second CBD of Auckland presentation to the Auckland Committee
  • The Resolutions of the Orakei Local Board on Special Character Zones
  • The Generation Zero Unitary Plan Youth Forum
  • Post May 31 Consultation on the Unitary Plan
  • And for a Transport Issue – the Transport Committee discussing the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP)

 

BEN ROSS : AUCKLAND

BR:AKL: Bring Well Managed Progress

The Unitary Plan: Bringing Change

Auckland: 2013 – OUR CITY, OUR CALL

 

Consultation on Port of Auckland

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Time to Talk Port

 

Bit of a change of tact today. Today BR:AKL talks port – no not the drink – the port that sits on Auckland‘s prime waterfront and moves goods in and out of the city via ship.

 

During the anxiety caused by the Housing Accord being dumped upon Auckland by the clueless Dr Nick Smith, Port of Auckland released their latest development proposals. You can read the “interactive” presentation from Port of Auckland here: Port of Auckland Development Proposals

Note: You need Flash to run the page and  not recommended on Smart Phones

 

I have gone through the entire proposal on first glance and will take a decent look at it tomorrow (unless someone else decides to dump a Unitary Plan stopper upon the city) (makes a good break from the UP anyhow). In going through it my pragmatism came to the play and some realisations had to be “made.”

 

Port of Auckland knows very well I would like to see the port shifted to the South East Auckland site near Clevedon (and 35mins east from where I live in Papakura). This would allow the redevelopment of the $4.5b worth of waterfront real estate into something more eye pleasing to the public, as well as get that freight traffic off the inner motorway system (to the point of staving off the Eastern Highway even further). However, due to Council through its shortsightedness (Ann Hartley) in denying the second part of the Port Review (looking at relocation options) the city (we) are stuck with the port staying where it is. In the same regard the Port seem happy enough to stay where it is, so efforts flip over to mitigation on their expansion ideas.

 

And so I realise the Port is staying where it is and now thoughts focus on how do we mitigate the worst of the effects if and when the Port expands in its current location. Hence I shall have good look at the proposal tomorrow and give my feed back on what POAL is proposing.

 

In the same regard; Port of Auckland is asking for public feed back. So please do so as this is critical piece of infrastructure and real estate holder in Auckland.