Board Allows One Shop In Zoning Appeal

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30172, 2 July 1963, Page 7

Board Allows One Shop In Zoning Appeal

An appeal by Maurice R > Carter, Ltd., seeking the re-| zoning as commercial of a three-a<cre block of land in Grimseys road zoned residential in the Waimairi district zoning scheme failed without prejudice before the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board yesterday. The company proposed to erect a large shopping centre on the site. The chairman (Mr J. W Kealy, S.M.) said the board considered the scheme premature and that it could be dangerous to tie a particular zone in a particular place at this stage.

The appeal failed also to obtain commercial zoning for a 32-perch section on the threeacre block for the erection of tour shops, but Mr Kealy said that a case had been made out for one utility shop under a conditional use in the locality. The other board members were Messrs C. H. Taylor and W. F. McArthur. Mr G. T Mahon appeared for the company, and Mr J. G. Hutchison for the Waimairi County Council.

The appellant originally sought commercial zoning of an area of 32 perches to provide for the erection of a block of shops in Grimseys road about midway between Prestons road and Winter's road. The property is inside toe urban fence.

Mr Mahon said that since the publication of the master transport plan the appellant had decided to seek rezoning not only for 32 perches, but for three acres for a large shopping site. liie appellant claimed that toe zoning as residential of toe whole of the land did not provide for the proper provision of shopping amenities after subdivision and development. He said the nearest shops to the site were seventenths of a mile away. Cooncil's View

In its reply to the appeal toe council said the general area in which toe appellant's land was situated was sufficiently served with commercial sites for the present needs of the community.

Mr Mahon submitted that although present development in the area did not show a demand for increased shopping development, future development would. The land was most suitable for a shopping centre because it was near the norttzern outlet and proposed interchange road and in toe centre of future local development. Miss N. Northcroft, a townplanning consultant, said in evidence that the setting aside of the three acres with provision for off-street parking was in accordance with sound town-planning principles. The witness said the site was suitable because of its proximity to the proposed northern motorway and its interchange near the junction of Grimseys road and Winters road.

"Because of this such a centre will be conveniently l located not only for traffic travelling from the north and the south on the motorway, but for all traffic that is mov-i ing towards Grimseys road interchange from the devel- 1 oping north-west sector of Christchurch.’’ t Miss Northcroft said the! wisdom of planning to meet a need would become increasingly apparent within the planniing period. It was not expected that the full three acres would be required or developed in toe first instance. "If land in the proper Location is not set aside and zoned for a shopping centre it will not be available when required,” she said. Cross-examined by Mr Hutchison, the witness said the land was sparsely settled and the shops were not re-1 quired at present. She said l she agreed it was possible to; find a better site tor the shopping centre. Mr Hutchison submitted' the application was premature and the shops were' neither necessary nor desir-1 able. Housing in the area' did not warrant more than] one utility shop on the site, he said Decision Reserved i The board reserved its de-' cision on an appeal by the trustees in the estate of Walter Wright against a decision of the Waimairi County; Council zoning part of a block of land adjoining 98 Russley road as rural under; its proposed district scheme.! The appellants were repre- 1 sented by Mr H. M. S. Daw-' I son. They sought a rezoning; las residential A because, theysaid the interests of the! estate were injuriously; affected by the zoning and because the land was suitable for settlement as residential. A.