Issues

The Neighbourhood Centre Zone (NCZ) provides for a distribution of accessible neighbourhood commercial activities that provide goods and services to meet the day-to-day needs of communities.

The Neighbourhood Centre Zone is distributed throughout the urban area of Whangārei City, Ruakaka and Marsden Point. Providing a limited range of everyday goods and services, Neighbourhood Centre Zones are small in overall land area, with shop sizes generally ranging from 100 – 300m² in gross floor area.

On-street parking is generally provided, with limited off-street parking. Being situated within residential areas it is essential that the range and scale of activities is compatible with neighbouring residential activity and local amenity values. Very limited opportunities exist for expansion of these Neighbourhood Centre Zones.

The suburbs of the Morningside and Otaika do not contain a large agglomeration of existing commercial activities and community activities, and therefore do not have a Local Centre Zone.

Objectives

NCZ-O1Range of Activities

Provide a distribution of commercial and community activities, while not undermining the vitality and viability of the Local Centre Zone.

NCZ-O2Urban Character and Amenity

Maintain and enhance the urban character and amenity of the Neighbourhood Centre Zone.

NCZ-O3Urban Design

Development demonstrates high quality urban form that positively interacts with the public realm and responds positively to and enhances the character of the surrounding environment.

NCZ-O4Discouraged Activities

Discourage industrial activities within the Neighbourhood Centre Zone to maintain the Neighbourhood Centre Zone amenity and character.

Policies

NCZ-P1Character and Amenity

To recognise the character and urban amenity values of the Neighbourhood Centre Zone including but not limited to:

1. A smaller scale of commercial development and built form.

2. Presence of community activities, street plantings/trees and street furniture.

3. Moderate levels of noise during the daytime associated with traffic and commercial activities.

4. A moderate degree of privacy for residential activities.

5. Limited exposure to noxious odour or noise associated with industrial activities.

6. Moderate levels of vehicle traffic particularly during daytime hours.

7. Moderate levels of illumination.

8. On-street and off-street parking.

9. Ample access to daylight.

NCZ-P2Range of Activities

To enable a range of activities that provide a distribution of small-scale commercial services and community services for residents by:

1. Encouraging small scale dairies, commercial service activities and cafes.

2. Avoiding rural production activities and industrial activities, large scale commercial activities and destination-based community activities.

3. Enabling residential units in association with commercial activities and retail activities on-site.

4. Allowing ancillary activities where an active frontage is maintained and open to the public.

5. Managing the scale, design and nature of activities to ensure that:

   1. An active frontage is maintained at ground floor.

   2. The activity and building design are complementary to the Neighbourhood Centre context and retain a fine grain character.

   3. The building is designed to enhance the surrounding residential amenity.

NCZ-P3Residential Activities

To require residential units to be designed and constructed in a manner which provides for residential amenity and active frontages.

NCZ-P4Pedestrian-Centric Environment

To create a pedestrian-centric environment by requiring verandahs and promoting active building frontages.

NCZ-P5Residential Amenity

To provide for residential amenity by ensuring residential units provide sufficient internal space, outdoor living courts and noise insulation.

NCZ-P6Zone Interface

To maintain the amenity and characteristics that contribute to sense of place by managing built development and the interface between the Neighbourhood Centre Zone and Residential Zones.

NCZ-P7Discouraged Activities

To protect urban amenity by avoiding activities which have noxious, offensive, or undesirable qualities from locating within the Neighbourhood Centre Zone.

NCZ-P8Water Setbacks

To protect esplanade areas and reserve waterfront walkways by avoiding impervious surfaces adjacent to Mean High Water Springs and riverbanks.

NCZ-P9Built Form

To maintain a built form that is consistent with the surrounding Residential Zones by limiting bulk and location of buildings.

Rules

NCZ-R1Any Activity Not Otherwise Listed in This Chapter

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. Resource consent is not required under any rule of the District Plan.

2. The activity is not prohibited under any rule of the District Plan.

NCZ-R2Minor Buildings

Activity Status: Permitted

Note:

1. Minor buildings are exempt from rules NCZ-R3 – R6.

NCZ-R3Building and Major Structure Height

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The maximum building height and major structure height is 12m above ground level.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Restricted Discretionary

Matters of discretion

1. The extent to which visual dominance effects are minimised.

2. The extent to which the visual impact of exceeding the height limit is mitigated by the location, design, scale, and appearance (including reflectivity) of the building or structure.

3. Effects on the privacy and amenity of adjoining sites.

4. Shading effects on adjoining sites and public open space.

5. Effects on streetscapes and walkability.

6. The extent to which the proposal demonstrates best practice principles of urban design and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.

7. The extent to which the building is consistent with the character and amenity values anticipated within the Neighbourhood Centre Zone.

8. The extent to which development in excess of 12m:

   1. Has adverse effects on the affected transport network, and three waters networks.

   2. Is supported by open space, public amenities, commercial activities, and public and active transport options that are within walking distance to service the proposed residents and/or employees.

9. The extent to which the intensity of commercial activity arising from those parts of buildings in excess of 12m adversely effects the viability and vitality of other Business Zones.

NCZ-R4Building and Major Structure Setbacks

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. All buildings and major structures are set back at least:

   1. 3m from any Residential Zone or Open Space and Recreation Zone boundary.

   2. 27m from Mean High Water Springs or the top of the bank of any river that has a width exceeding 3m (excluding bridges, culverts and fences).

2. The building is setback 0.5m of road boundaries at ground floor for the entire length of the street frontage for any front site, except for:

   1. One setback of up to 1.5m for a maximum width of 2.5m to allow for a recessed pedestrian entrance.

   2. Any site frontage where a strategic road protection area applies as detailed in TRA Appendix 4.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved with NCZ-R4.1(a) or R4.2: Restricted Discretionary

Matters of discretion:

1. The outlook and privacy of adjoining and adjacent properties.

2. Effects of shading and visual dominance on adjoining properties.

3. Effects on the streetscape character of the area.

4. Effects on the safety and efficiency of the transport network.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved with NCZ-R4.1(b): Restricted Discretionary

Matters of discretion:

1. The effectiveness of the proposed method for controlling stormwater runoff.

2. That the proposal will maintain and enhance the amenity values of the area.

3. That esplanade areas and waterfront walkways are appropriately safeguarded.

NCZ-R5Building and Major Structure Height in Relation to Boundary

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. All buildings and major structures do not exceed a height equal to 3m above ground level plus the shortest horizontal distance between that part of the building or major structure and any Residential Zone or Open Space and Recreation Zone.

2. Except that, any parts of the buildings or major structures that are within 20m of the site frontage may exceed the maximum height in relation to boundary in NCZ-R5.1, provided they:

   1. Do not exceed a height of 3.6m above ground level where they are 1m or less from side and rear boundaries adjoining the Neighbourhood Centre Zone or Medium Density Residential Zone; and

   2. Thereafter, are set back 0.3m for every additional metre in height (73.3 degrees) up to 6.9m and then 1m for every additional metre in height (45 degrees).

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Restricted Discretionary

Matters of discretion:

1. The outlook and privacy of adjoining and adjacent properties.

2. Effects of shading and visual dominance on adjoining and adjacent properties.

NCZ-R6Building Frontages

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. At least 65% of the building frontage at ground floor is clear glazing.

2. The main pedestrian entrance is provided within 3m of the site frontage.

3. There are no roller doors (except security grilles which allow views from the street into the premise) along site frontage.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R7Impervious Areas

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The impervious area within the site does not exceed 75% of the site area.

2. The impervious area is set back at least 5m from Mean High Water Springs and the top of the bank of any river that has a width exceeding 3m (excluding bridges, culverts and fences).

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R8Fences

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The fence is along site frontage and is required by a by-law or for public health and safety.

2. The fence is not a long road frontage.

3. Fencing within 1m of any side or rear boundary is no higher than 2m.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Restricted Discretionary

Matters of discretion:

1. Effects of shading and visual dominance on adjoining properties.

2. Urban design and passive surveillance.

3. Effects on streetscape character and amenity.

4. Health and safety effects.

NCZ-R9Car Parking

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The car parking space is not located between the building frontage and road boundaries of the site.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R10Verandahs

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. All buildings fronting a road provide a verandah:

   1. Along at least 90% of the frontage of the building.

   2. That is at least 3m above the footpath and no more than 4m above the footpath.

   3. That has a minimum width of 1.5m and a maximum width of 2.5m and is set back at least 0.6m from the kerb line.

2. That has a maximum facia height of 0.5m.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R11Outdoor Areas of Storage or Stockpiles

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The outdoor area of storage or stockpile:

   1. Complies with rules NCZ-R3 – R5.

   2. Is screened from view from adjacent public places and Residential Zones and Open Space and Recreation Zones except for construction materials to be used on-site for a maximum period of 12 months within each 10-year period from 26 August 2021.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R12Residential Unit

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The maximum density is 1 residential unit, per site.

2. The residential unit is an ancillary activity to a commercial service, general retail or food and beverage activity within the site.

3. Every residential unit provides a net floor area of at least:

   1. 35m² for residential units with only one habitable room.

   2. 45m² for residential units with more than one habitable room.

4. Every 1-bedroom residential unit provides an outdoor living court of at least 4m² and at least 1.5m depth.

5. Every 2+ bedroom residential unit contains an outdoor living court of at least 8m² and at least 2.4m depth.

6. No residential unit is accessed directly from the road frontage.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Restricted Discretionary

Matters of discretion:

1. The design, size and layout of buildings to provide appropriate privacy and amenity for occupants on-site.

2. The proximity of the site to communal or public open space that has the potential to mitigate any lack of private outdoor living space.

3. Adverse effects on active frontages and streetscapes.

Notification:

Any application for a residential unit which does not comply with the minimum internal area and outdoor living court requirements in NCZ-R12.3 - 5 shall not require the written consent of affected persons and shall not be notified or limited-notified unless Council decides that special circumstances exist under section 95A (4) of the Resource Management Act 1991.

NCZ-R13General Retail

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. Any individual activity is less than 300m² gross floor area per site.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R14Grocery Store

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The activity:

   1. Is less than 300m² gross floor area per site.

   2. Has an outdoor area:

      1. Less than 500m².

      2. Not located between the front of the building and the road.

2. The activity is located:

   1. Within 50m of a Residential Zone boundary and does not operate or open for visitors, clients, deliveries or servicing outside the hours of 06:00 – 22:00; or

   2. Further than 50m from a Residential Zone boundary.

3. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R15Commercial Services

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The activity:

   1. Is less than 300m² gross floor area per site.

   2. Has an outdoor area:

      1. Less than 500m².

      2. Not located between the front of the building and the road.

2. The activity is located:

   1. Within 50m of a Residential Zone boundary and does not operate or open for visitors, clients, deliveries or servicing outside the hours of 06:00 – 22:00; or

   2. Further than 50m from a Residential Zone boundary.

3. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R16Food and Beverage Activity

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. The activity:

   1. Is less than 300m² gross floor area per site.

   2. Has an outdoor area:

      1. Less than 500m².

      2. Not located between the front of the building and the road.

2. The activity is located:

   1. Within 50m of a Residential Zone boundary and does not operate or open for visitors, clients, deliveries or servicing outside the hours of 06:00 – 22:00; or

   2. Further than 50m from a Residential Zone boundary.

3. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R17Visitor Accommodation

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. No more than 12 tariff-paid visitors are staying on-site at any one time.

2. No more than 2 accommodation units per 500m² are constructed or operated on-site.

3. Each accommodation unit provides an outdoor living court of at least 4m² and at least 1.5m depth.

4. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R18Care Centre

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. No more than 12 patients are staying on-site at any one time.

2. No more than 2 accommodation units per 500m² are constructed or operated on-site.

3. Each accommodation unit provides an outdoor living court of at least 4m² and at least 1.5m depth.

4. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R19Supported Residential Care

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. No more than 12 patients are staying on-site at any one time.

2. No more than 2 accommodation units per 500m² are constructed or operated on-site.

3. Each accommodation unit provides an outdoor living court of at least 4m² and at least 1.5m depth.

4. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R20Retirement Village

Activity Status: Permitted

Where:

1. No more than 12 patients are staying on-site at any one time.

2. No more than 2 accommodation units per 500m² are constructed or operated on-site.

3. Each accommodation unit provides an outdoor living court of at least 4m² and at least 1.5m depth.

4. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Discretionary.

NCZ-R21Place of Assembly

Activity Status: Discretionary

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R22Recreational Facilities

Activity Status: Discretionary

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R23Educational Facilities

Activity Status: Discretionary

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R24Entertainment Facilities

Activity Status: Discretionary

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R25General Community

Activity Status: Discretionary

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R26General Commercial

Activity Status: Discretionary

Where:

1. The activity has a:

   1. Gross floor area less than 300m² per site.

   2. An outdoor area:

      1. Less than 500m².

      2. Located between the front of the building and the road.

2. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

Activity Status when compliance not achieved: Non-Complying

NCZ-R27Industrial Activities

Activity Status: Non-Complying

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R28Trade Retail

Activity Status: Non-Complying

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R29Drive-Through-Facilities

Activity Status: Non-Complying

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R30Emergency Services

Activity Status: Non-Complying

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R31Service Stations

Activity Status: Non-Complying

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R32Funeral Home

Activity Status: Non-Complying

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R33Hospital

Activity Status: Non-Complying

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.

NCZ-R34Rural Production Activities

Activity Status: Prohibited

Where:

1. The activity is a primary or ancillary activity.