Zoning decision in dispute

Press, 8 September 1982, Page 12

Zoning decision in dispute

Some controversy surrounds a Waimairi District £cil decision to rezone Block in Avonhead from residential to rural.

Objections to the council decision • were made at a planning hearing this weekl. The district housing planner for the Housing Corporation, Mr John Barnwell, said that because of changes from rural to residential zoning and back again within five years, no-one had been able to enjoy any certainty about the use of the 40ha block off Withells Road. The corporation felt that the land was more useful for urban purposes because of its size, siting and proximity to existing urban services. “We believe there is a

demand for the residential sections that will flow from the developments." said Mr Barnwell. District businesses were concerned that rural zoning would hinder possible community growth, and the expansion of the businesses. A regional scheme in 1979 proposed a “green belt” extending from the edge of the Christchurch urban area. Blair Block is a borderline area between urban and settlement zoning. The areas have not been developed "to the extent that it would be unreasonable for a change to be made back to non-settle-ment zoning." The council sub committee reserved its decision for more discussions on the future of the block.