Open Space - Civic Spaces Zone — Auckland
Zone Description
The Open Space – Civic Spaces Zone applies to open spaces such as squares and plazas in centres and other urban areas. Civic spaces contribute to the character of centres and urban areas and provide opportunities for informal recreation, social interaction and community gatherings and events. They also support local character and sense of identity.
Objectives
| Objective |
|---|
| Civic spaces are used for civic and community functions, events and informal recreation |
Policies
| Policy |
|---|
| Enable civic and community functions and events, and informal recreation activities |
| Limit buildings and structures to those necessary to support the purpose of the zone, and where demonstrated, ensure they enhance amenity values, functionality and use of the zone |
| Manage the effects of activities to avoid or mitigate any adverse effects on the environment and on the amenity values of nearby residents, communities and the surrounding environment |
| Enable public amenities that enhance the use and enjoyment of civic and community open spaces, and the installation of artworks and interpretive signs |
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum building height | 4m | All buildings |
| Height in relation to boundary | Adjoining zone standard | Applies where open space adjoins another zone |
| Front yard setback | 5m | Or the average setback of buildings on adjacent front sites, whichever is lesser |
| Side and rear yards | 3m | Where open space adjoins a residential zone |
| Riparian yard (streams) | 10m | From the edge of permanent and intermittent streams |
| Coastal protection yard | 10m | From mean high water springs |
| Maximum gross floor area per building | 50m² | Individual buildings including external additions or alterations |
| Maximum site coverage | 5% | Cumulative total area of buildings |
| Maximum impervious area | No limit | Civic Spaces Zone |
| Outdoor storage/rubbish screening | 1.8m high solid wall or fence | Where visible from residential zone, Special Purpose – School Zone, rural zone or business zone |
| Maimai maximum area | 10m² | Erection, use, alteration, maintenance and demolition |
| Maimai maximum height | 3m | Above mean high water springs or ground level |
| Fences on front boundary | ≥50% transparent | Permitted as a permitted activity |
| Non-security floodlighting towers | Up to 18m high | Permitted activity |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Visitor centres | D |
| Community centres and halls | D |
| Art galleries, arts and cultural centres | D |
| Clubrooms | NC |
| Recreation facilities | D |
| Informal recreation | P |
| Information facilities accessory to a permitted activity | P |
| Gardens, including botanic and community gardens | P |
| Coastal navigational aids | P |
| Markets | RD |
| Restaurants and cafes (excluding drive-through), accessory to permitted activity, located further than 50m from residential zone | RD |
| Restaurants and cafes (excluding drive-through), accessory to permitted activity, located within 50m of residential zone | RD |
| Retail accessory to a permitted activity | P |
| Retail not otherwise provided for | D |
| Conservation planting | P |
| Customary use | P |
| Accessory buildings | P |
| Artworks | P |
| Demolition of buildings | P |
| Internal additions and alterations to existing buildings | P |
| External additions to existing buildings that comply with the standards | P |
| External additions to existing buildings that do not comply with one or more standards | D |
| Buildings for public amenities | D |
| New buildings that comply with the standards | P |
| New buildings that do not comply with one or more standards | D |
| Non-security floodlighting, fittings and supports and towers up to 18m high | P |
| Fences on the front boundary more than 50 per cent transparent | P |
| Fences on the front boundary less than 50 per cent transparent | RD |
| Observation areas, viewing platforms and related structures | P |
| Parks infrastructure | P |
| Parks maintenance | P |
| Recreational trails | P |
| Jetties or boat ramps | D |
Restricted Discretionary Activities — Assessment Matters
Restaurants and Cafes Accessory to Permitted Activity
Matters of Discretion:
- The effects of the intensity and scale of the activity on recreational use and amenity values
- The effects on public access to, and use of, the open space
- The effects from the development design, external appearance and landscaping
- The effects on any scheduled historic heritage values
- The effects on natural values, including landform and vegetation
- The extent the activity is consistent with any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan for the area
Assessment Criteria:
- The extent to which the intensity and scale of the activity will adversely affect recreational use of the open space and amenity values of neighbouring properties, and the measures to remedy or mitigate any adverse effects
- Whether the activity is located to minimise any adverse effects on public access and takes into account pedestrian safety, access for people of all ages and abilities where practical, and the efficient use of existing access, parking, circulation and utility networks
- Whether the development design and external appearance of any buildings, and any landscaping: (a) is compatible with the character and use of the site; (b) minimises any adverse effects, including through use of building materials and colour; and (c) complements the existing landscape character of the area
- Whether the activity will have any adverse effects on any scheduled historic heritage values, and the extent to which these can be remedied or mitigated
- Whether the activity will result in any land disturbance or vegetation removal, and the extent to which any adverse effects can be remedied or mitigated
- Whether the proposal is consistent with the outcomes sought in any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan and the ability to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects resulting from any inconsistency with the relevant management plan
Markets
Matters of Discretion:
- The effects the intensity and scale of the activity will have on recreational use and amenity values
- The effects on public access to, and use of, the open space
- The effects from the development design, external appearance and landscaping
- The effects on any scheduled historic heritage values
- The effects on natural values, including landform and vegetation
- The extent the activity is consistent with any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan for the area
Assessment Criteria:
- The extent to which the intensity and scale of the market will adversely affect recreational use of the open space and amenity values of neighbouring properties, and the measures to remedy or mitigate any adverse effects
- Whether the market is located to minimise any adverse effects on public access and takes into account pedestrian safety, access for people of all ages and abilities where practical, and the efficient use of existing access, parking, circulation and utility networks
- Whether the development design and external appearance of any buildings, and any landscaping: (a) is compatible with the character and use of the site; (b) minimises any adverse effects, including through use of building materials and colour; and (c) complements the existing landscape character of the area
- Whether the activity will have any adverse effects of any scheduled historic heritage values, and the extent to which these can be remedied or mitigated
- Whether the activity will result in any land disturbance or vegetation removal and the extent to which any adverse effects can be remedied or mitigated
- Whether the proposal is consistent with the outcomes sought in any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan and the ability to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects resulting from any inconsistency with the relevant management plan
Fences on Front Boundary Less Than 50 Per Cent Transparent
Matters of Discretion:
- The effects on visibility to and from the open space, including effects on public safety
- The extent the activity is consistent with any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan for the area
Assessment Criteria:
- The extent to which the fence will have an adverse effect on visibility to and from the open space, including the visual connection to and from the open space and the adjacent streets
- The extent to which any loss of visibility will have any adverse effects on public safety
- Whether the proposal is consistent with the outcomes sought in any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan and the ability to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects resulting from any inconsistency with the relevant management plan
Observation Areas, Viewing Platforms and Related Structures
Matters of Discretion: