Saleyards land-use for study

Press, 14 May 1985, Page 9

Saleyards land-use for study

More detailed criteria for land use at the Addington Saleyards should be worked out, a Riccarton Borough Council town planning committee meeting recommended last evening. The committee was discussing an interim decision of the Planning Tribunal which asked that the saleyards’ zoning be altered. It wanted this so it could rule on an application by the Canterbury Saleyards Company to build a room for livestock shows and sales at the yards.

The council had earlier refused the application because under its District Scheme zoning rules, the saleyards are not a permitted use. They were there because they had an exist-ing-use right dating from 1873 when they were built.

but any new building would be against the district scheme.

The saleyards company had then gone to the tribunal to appeal against the decision.

Riccarton’s town planner, Mr Kim McCraken, said the saleyards had a dual zoning of residential 6 and industrial C which apparently had upset the tribunal. “I think they found the dual zoning difficult to come to terms with, but there is no reason why it should not be workable,” Mr McCraken said.

The Town Clerk, Mr John Skinner, said the tribunal had only “hinted” that the zoning should be changed. “I think we should carry on with the comprehensive zoning technique but we should be a lot more, specific with land-use criteria,” he said.

The committee recommended tjiat a report be made about land use at the saleyards and a submission be made to the Planning Tribunal. Motels

The committee reserved its decision about an application to build 12 doublestorey motel units at 145 Deans Avenue. The application was made by Mr and Mrs R. M. Lyall. Two objectors made submissions that it appeared that the motel’s plans did not meet requirements needed from existing motels.

“The council is setting different standards for developers from those required for existing moteliers who wish to develop,” said a Riccarton Road motelier, Mr John Lindsay.

Mr McCraken said that because the Deans Avenue site was a corner section the requirements mentioned by Mr Lindsay did not apply. Another objector, Mr Rudi Albers, said the motel units would invade his privacy as people on the second floor of the motels would be able to see into his house.

The committee’s chairman, Mr D. A. Anderson, said the area was highdensity residential land which meant this “invasion of privacy” could happen to any householder who had neighbours in a two-storey house. Tourist shop

The committee also reserved its decision about an application to set up a tourist craft shop at the

corner of Mona Vale Avenue and Riccarton Road.

The applicants, Mr and Mrs P. W. McGlinchy, submitted that although the land was zoned Residential C, motels and commercial developments were close to the area. These would give the shop its tourist customers.

Mr Anderson noted that the motels were in business because of existing land-use rights. “We have turned down other applicatons for businesses in this area beffore.”

The Canterbury ' United Council objected to the proposal because it would attract more vehicles to the already-busy Riccarton Road. Customers’ vehicles manoeuvering would conflict with through traffic, the objection said.