Open Space - Conservation Zone — Auckland

Zone Purpose

The Open Space – Conservation Zone applies to open spaces with natural, ecological, landscape, and cultural and historic heritage values. These areas include volcanic cones, bush reserves, headlands, natural wetlands and coastline. The zone also applies to cemeteries that are no longer operational. Recreation activities and development are limited in scale and intensity to protect conservation values.

Objectives

1. The natural, ecological, landscape, Mana Whenua and historic heritage values of the zone are enhanced and protected from adverse effects of use and development
2. Use and development complements and protects the conservation values and natural qualities of the zone

Key Policies

• Enable appropriate use and development that conserves, protects and enhances natural, landscape, and historic heritage values
• Protect and enhance ecological values, including habitats, significant ecological areas and unique features
• Manage open space use to protect and enhance Mana Whenua values and enable activities that support the relationship of Mana Whenua to ancestral lands, water, sites, wāhi tapu and taonga
• Limit activities, buildings and structures to those necessary to maintain or enhance the use or values of the zone
• Locate and design new buildings, structures and additions to complement context and character with minimal disturbance to landform, vegetation and vulnerable habitats
• Locate and design vehicle access and parking with minimal impact through: minimal disturbance to landform and vegetation; locating parking near public streets to avoid intrusion; using unformed/unsealed areas; using smaller conveniently located parking areas; ensuring character and adjoining properties not adversely affected
• Require landscaping around buildings, structures and parking areas to mitigate visual impacts

Building Standards

Height in Relation to Boundary

• Where the open space directly adjoins a site in another zone, the height in relation to boundary standard that applies in the adjoining zone applies to the adjoining open space boundary
• Where an adjoining zone does not specify a height in relation to boundary standard, the yard and/or setback standards of the adjoining zone apply to the boundary directly adjoining the open space

Permitted Activities

Non-Permitted Activities (Requiring Resource Consent)

Restricted Discretionary Activities — Matters of Discretion

Parks Depot, Storage and Maintenance (RD)

• Effects of intensity and scale on residential amenity
• Effects on public access to and use of the open space
• Effects from development design, external appearance and landscaping
• Effects on any scheduled historic heritage values
• Effects on natural values, including landform and vegetation
• Consistency with any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan

Non-Security Floodlighting, Fittings and Supports and Towers More Than 18m High (RD)

• Effects on the amenity value of adjoining sites
• Hours of operation
• Height and scale of the structure
• Consistency with any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan

Fences on Front Boundary Less Than 50% Transparent (RD)

• Effects on visibility to and from the open space, including effects on public safety
• Consistency with any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan

Observation Areas, Viewing Platforms and Related Structures (RD)

• Effects of location and design on natural character and landscape values
• Effects on any identified historic heritage values
• Effects associated with construction and use, including effects to landform and vegetation
• Consistency with any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan

Assessment Criteria for Restricted Discretionary Activities

Parks Depot, Storage and Maintenance

• Extent to which intensity and scale will detract from adjoining residential amenity and measures to remedy or mitigate
• Whether buildings or activities minimise adverse effects on public access to and use of the open space
• Extent to which disturbance to existing landform and vegetation is minimised
• Extent to which adverse effects on natural or amenity values are avoided, remedied or mitigated through location, design, external appearance and landscaping

Non-Security Floodlighting, Fittings and Supports and Towers More Than 18m High

• Extent to which floodlighting and structure will detract from adjoining residential amenity and measures to remedy or mitigate, including through location and hours of operation
• Consistency with outcomes in any relevant adopted reserve management plan, conservation management strategy or conservation management plan and ability to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects

Fences on Front Boundary Less Than 50% Transparent

• Extent to which fence will have adverse effects on visibility to and from the open space, including visual connection to open space and adjacent streets
• Extent to which any loss of visibility will have adverse effects on public safety
• Consistency with outcomes in any relevant adopted Reserve Management Plan, Conservation Management Strategy or Conservation Management Plan

Observation Areas, Viewing Platforms and Related Structures

• Whether structure is located and designed to minimise adverse effects on natural and landscape values while providing for viewing
• Extent to which adverse effects to landform and vegetation associated with construction or use can