CITY ZONING SCHEME

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29153, 14 March 1960, Page 13

CITY ZONING SCHEME

More Objections Heard

Companies with premises on Moorhouse avenue and adjoining streets objected to zoning as industrial “B” and requested zoning as industrial “C” in appeals heard by the special town planning committee of the Christchurch City Council. All the objectors had established stores, depots or factories, with rail access. They complained that the zoning was restrictive and that heavy losses would follow disruption of the businesses. The committee which heard the appeals, on which decisions were reserved, was Messrs W. P. Glue (chairman) and G. A. G. Connal.

Objection to the zoning of its land and stores in Moorhouse avenue as industrial “B” and a request that they be rezoned as industrial “C” was made by the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-opera-tive Association of Canterbury, Ltd. (Mr H. S. Thomas).

In the wool season, the buildings were full beyond proper capacity, said Mr Thomas. The company was planning buildings on the vacant freehold land. The area was ideally suitable for the type of industrial operations conducted. If the use was restricted, it was Impossible to see what other use could be made of the expensive buildings. Europa Oil (N.Z.), Ltd. (Mr J. N. Matson), objected to similar zoning of its property at 14 Grove road and Moorhouse avenue. , •

Mr Matson also appeared for a like objection by the Jarrah Timber Company, on whose premises a timber business has been carried on since 1908. In Use For 65 Years

The main property for the handling of primary products had been used for the last 65 years, said Dalgety and Company, Ltd. (Mr R. M. Young), whose properties are at the corners of Durham and Colombo streets and Moorhouse avenue. The value of the improvements to the store in 1956 was £250.000.

The Dominion Yeast Company. Ltd. (Mr Young), said it had purchased the land at the corner of Moorhouse avenue and Antigua street between 1914 and 1925. Further additions to the premises were required. Mr Young said that if the company was forced to move to another site it would close down in Christchurch and begin operations in the North Island. The use of A. S. Paterson and Company, Ltd.’s, land in Moorhouse avenue had been unrestricted since 1913, saicj Mr G. S. Brockett. To replace the buildings elsewhere was estimated to cost £150,000. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd. (Mr L. G. Holder), objected to the zoning of its property at the south-east corner of Moorhouse avenue and- Durham street. With the consent of the council, a new building, valued at £lOO,OOO, was being erected. “I find myself flogging a dead horse at this stage of the afternoon,” said Mr G. H. Gould, who appeared for D. H. Brown and Company (38 Moorhouse avenue), Shell Oil, N.Z., Ltd. (at the corners of Moorhouse avenue and Selwyn and Montreal streets), and Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd. (in Moorhouse avenue).

The Shell Company had used the first property for 35 years, and Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd. its store for 50 years, the evidence said. More space was needed for wool display.