Special zone for park confirmed

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 9

Special zone for park confirmed

A special zone for Queen Elizabeth II Park and the involvement of a private developer in its leisure centre were confirmed yesterday by the Christchurch City Council's parks and recreation committee. The committee took a recommendation for a special zoning and an investigation of the involvement of a private developer in stage two of the leisure centre to the November council meeting but was asked to further examine the recommendations after complaints from residents. The Queen Elizabeth II Park Environmental Action Association said that plans for the park’s development disregarded the community’s needs. It strongly objected to any leasing of public land to a private developer, and to rezoning the park.

The (committee yesterday heard that the association’s complaints had been examined. The change jin zoning would be open to public scrutiny and submissions and the council) could make no changes, other than those permitted under the present zoning, until then.

The committee approved the concept of having a private developer complete stage two of| the leisure centre at the I park. It approved authorisation for the City Planner to seek a special zoning for the park to accommodate present and future uses, and it approved the preparation of a prospectus' to interest developers in the project. It also recommended full discussions with residents at every stage of development.