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Policies
A.
A range of activities should be able to locate in the urban areas
provided that any adverse effects on the environment or neighbouring
land uses are avoided, remedied or mitigated.
B.
The status and importance of historic and cultural settlements and
parts of settlements should not be adversely affected by development.
a. Settlements shall be grouped on the basis of character for the purpose of developing rules.
b. The central business and commercial areas shall be defined within Hokitika.
c. Rules and standards have been developed to provide for a range of
activities in the urban character area while ensuring that adverse
effects are avoided, remedied or mitigated.
d. To recognise the status and importance of Arahura and Makawhio (Bruce Bay) to Maori.
e.
Development of Franz Alpine Resort shall proceed in accordance with a
comprehensive outline development plan and design guidelines, so as to
achieve a high level of integration of built form, natural values,
water resources, heritage and public open space. Where possible, rules
have been included in the District Plan to manage the environmental
effects of built form and subdivision of this site, by way of Part 5.4
Tourist Settlement Policy Unit. The guidelines, where not reflected in
the District Plan rules, will be administered outside the District
Plan, by private covenant or other legal method, and subject to the
scrutiny of a design committee administered by the developer
independent of the Council’s processes.
f. Development within Kumara Junction Developments
shall proceed in accordance with an outline development plan and
site-specific rules in the District Plan, in order to achieve a high
level of natural amenity where the built environment is concealed by
buffer zones of indigenous vegetation.
Explanation/Reasons
The settlements in Westland are of a varied character which in turn
provides a range of lifestyle opportunities. The form of
individual settlements contributes to this character. Some
settlements are constrained by sea, rivers or hills, but others have no
apparent constraints and limiting the direction of development can be a
useful tool in providing the settlement with a focus and preventing
unnecessary expansion into the rural area.
Settlement character contributes to the overall landscape form and
identity of Westland. Containment of settlements accentuates the
contrast between the rural and urban environments. Within the
main town of Hokitika, it is useful to identify the central business
and commercial area in order to focus street improvements and provide
guidance to developers.
To a large degree, current settlement form is representative of the
history and culture of an area and changing influences over time.
Many of these attributes have significant tourist appeal with resulting
flow on benefits to the local community.
The new Tourist Settlement Policy Unit at Stony Creek has been
provided to complement the role of Franz Josef as a tourist service
centre. It occupies a site that is still predominantly bush clad,
and with Stony Creek running through the site. These values are
to be retained and harnessed as much as practical in future tourist,
commercial and residential development of this area, sensitive to its
environmental context. The purpose of Part 5.4, the Outline
Development Plan and design guidelines is to achieve a consistently
high standard of building and landscape design, both in subdivision of
the site and in assisting future land and business owners to manage and
use their land in a manner creating an urban environment attractive to
residents and visitors. At the time of subdivision consent,
applicants will be required to demonstrate how the outline development
plan and design guidelines have been promoted in the layout and design
of sections (including retention of indigenous vegetation), and what
private covenants or other legal mechanisms are proposed to maintain a
high standard of building design through changing land ownership and
use.
Anticipated Environmental Outcomes
Implementation of the above policies and parent objectives is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
I Protection and enhancement of the distinctive character of Westland settlements.
II Clear definitions of the outer edges of settlements emphasising the contrast between urban and rural environments.
III A vibrant and compact commercial centre within Hokitika.
IV
Intermingling of compatible activities within residential areas and
increased opportunities and flexibility for activities locating in
urban areas.
V A comprehensive multi-use
village at Stony Creek, sensitive to its landscape and natural setting,
while contributing to the tourism experiences of visitors to the
northern glacier region.
VI Development of
Franz Alpine Resort which is sensitive to the visual and landscape
values of the site, by integrating built and natural environments
through retention of indigenous vegetation within the settlement and
attention to building design and appearance; use of the natural contour
and drainage patterns to service development and provide an
aesthetically pleasing environment for residents and visitors;
incorporating a network of forested links, wetlands and waterways as
significant natural and recreational resources within Stony Creek.
VII Development of Kumara Junctions Developments
which is sensitive to the secluded small rural-residential settlement
nature of this development, including night sky views; integrating the
built and natural environments through the retention of indigenous
vegetation and minimal light pollution.
