TOWN PLANNING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24631, 9 July 1943, Page 5

TOWN PLANNING

TEMPORARY BUILDING S ZONING NOT MODIFIED Complete co-ordination of the townplanning regulations of local authorities into an approved regional scheme has been retarded by wartime conditions, but the zoning plan of the Auckland City Council 11 jus not been modified on that account. It is true, a.s Mi 1 . J. Tyler, city engineer, admitted yesterday, that a number of buildings have been erected to meet the necessities of the armed forces. Ostensibly, these structures, some of which are very extensive, are only temporary, but the authorities fear that tlieir future use may cause some difiiculty when tlieir immediate purpose has disappeared. Leniency has been extended to industrialists and other owners of buildings in which wartime work is being done. In every ca.se, however, this dispensation has been granted under conditions which give the council the right to insist that building by-laws or zoning restrictions should be enforced. Under normal conditions, owners of "noil-conforming" buildings in any area have very limited powers to extend or improve their premises, and economic pressure compels them, sooner or later, to gravitate to their proper zone. This process, naturally, may take many years. Co-operation between neighbouring local authorities, it was pointed out, is essential to avoid such complications as one granting an industrial site on a boundary road when the opposite side lias been reserved as a residential district. The plan for Auckland City is based on a liberal interpretation of the needs of industries and shops, provision Inning been made for areas 23 per cent above calculated requirements.

It would appear to be inevitable that about 2800 acres will have to be allocated to industry within the city boundaries. In the heavy industry category, 110 fewer than 50 trades or processes are listed. Considerable extension of the industrial district in Mount Eden, adjacent to the city boundary, lias taken place, and it now covers about 40 acres. By far the greatest area assigned to heavy industry, which includes noisy, , offensive or dangerous trades, is on the ! waterfront. Skirling it is the area lor other industries, , including warehouses and yards. Shops, offices and hotels are ■ in the commercial zones, with numerous island shopping centres in residential « areas. An existing rural zone cannot now be subdivided into lots of less than two . acres, as many uneconomic amenities might otherwise have to be provided lor a few people. Rural zones will not be available for close settlement until the nee.d is apparent. COMMITTEE VACANCY IMPASSE AT SYNOD (0.c.) HAMILTON, Thursday Difficulty was experienced at a meeting of the* Waikato Diocesan Synod in filling a vacancy oil the standing committee. There are 12 seats on the committee, five representing the clergy and seven the laity. The seven sitting lay representatives were returned unopposed, and six nominations were received for the five clergy seats. At the first ballot lour clergy were returned by A majority of both clergy and laity. Two further ballots were held to fill the fifth seat, but in neither ease did one candidate receive a majority of both sections, fresh nominations were called, and three candidates were put forward. A fourth ballot was held and this was again inconclusive. The president of synod, Bishop Chcrrington, said the vacancy would be filled by standing committee it.-elf.