Open Space - Sport and Active Recreation Zone

District plan rules for the Open Space - Sport and Active Recreation Zone in Auckland, New Zealand.

Summarised from the Auckland District Plan. This is a summary compiled from the council's published plan, not the plan itself — and not legal or planning advice. Always verify against the council's official document before relying on any figure, and check whether a more recent plan change applies.

Open Space - Sport and Active Recreation Zone — Auckland

Zone Purpose

The Open Space – Sport and Active Recreation Zone applies to open spaces used for indoor and outdoor organised sports, active recreation and community activities. It includes facilities such as sports fields, hard-court areas and greens, recreational and multi-sport facilities, and marine-related activities such as ramps, jetties, slipways, hardstand areas. These spaces often include buildings and structures such as grandstands, sport and community clubrooms and toilets and changing facilities. Most of these open spaces are also available for informal recreation activities such as walking, jogging and informal games when not used for sport and active recreation.

Objectives

  1. Indoor and outdoor sport and active recreation opportunities are provided for efficiently, while avoiding or mitigating any significant adverse effects on nearby residents, communities and the surrounding areas.
  2. Activities accessory to active sport and recreation activities are provided for in appropriate locations and enhance the use and enjoyment of areas for active sport and recreation.
  3. Larger scale, or clusters of land-based marine-related recreation facilities, are recognised and provided for while maintaining and enhancing public access to and along the coast.

Building Standards

RuleValueNotes
Maximum building height10mAll buildings
Height in relation to boundaryAs per adjoining zone standardApplies where open space directly adjoins another zone
Front yard setback5mOr average setback of adjacent buildings, whichever is lesser
Side and rear yards (adjoining residential zone, special purpose zone, or Future Urban Zone)3mNo side/rear yards required where adjoining business zone
Riparian yard10mFrom edge of permanent and intermittent streams
Coastal protection yard10mFrom mean high water springs
Gross floor area per building150m²Including external additions or alterations
Maximum site coverage30%Cumulative total building area
Maximum impervious area40%Per site
Outdoor storage/rubbish screening1.8m high solid wall/fenceWhere visible from residential, school, rural or business zones

Permitted Activities

ActivityStatus
Single workers' accommodationP
Education and research facilities directly related to the open spaceP
Gardens, including botanic and community gardensP
Coastal navigational aidsP
Customary useP
Conservation plantingP
Accessory buildingsP
ArtworksP
Demolition of buildingsP
Internal additions and alterations to existing buildingsP
External additions to existing buildings that comply with standardsP
Parks infrastructureP
Parks maintenanceP
Recreational trailsP
Informal recreationP
Information facilities accessory to a permitted activityP
Public amenitiesP
Retail accessory to a permitted activityP
Fences on front boundary more than 50% transparentP
Non-security floodlighting, fittings and supports and towers up to 18m highP
Recreation facilitiesP
ClubroomsP
New buildings that comply with standardsP

Restricted Discretionary Activities

ActivityStatusDiscretion Matters
Organised sport and recreationRDIntensity, scale and duration effects on informal recreation; amenity effects on adjoining sites; consistency with Reserve Management Plans
MarketsRDIntensity/scale effects on recreation and amenity; public access effects; development design; heritage effects; natural values effects; consistency with management plans
Restaurants and cafes accessory to permitted activity (further than 50m from residential zone)RDIntensity/scale effects on recreation and amenity; public access effects; design and appearance; heritage effects; natural values; consistency with management plans
Restaurants and cafes accessory to permitted activity (within 50m of residential zone)RDIntensity/scale effects on recreation and amenity; public access effects; design and appearance; heritage effects; natural values; consistency with management plans
Parks depot, storage and maintenanceRDIntensity/scale effects on residential amenity; public access effects; design and appearance; heritage effects; natural values; consistency with management plans
GrandstandsRDIntensity/scale effects on residential amenity; enhancement and maximisation of site use; design and appearance; consistency with management plans
Non-security floodlighting, fittings and supports and towers more than 18m highRDAmenity effects on adjoining sites; hours of operation; height and scale of structure; consistency with management plans
Fences on front boundary less than 50% transparentRDVisibility effects to/from open space; public safety effects; consistency with management plans
Observation areas, viewing platforms and related structuresRDLocation and design effects on natural character/landscape; heritage effects; construction/use effects on landform/vegetation; consistency with management plans
External additions to existing buildings that do not comply with standardsD
Buildings for public amenitiesD
New buildings that do not comply with standardsD
Construction of vehicle access and parking areasD
Jetties or boat rampsD

Discretionary Activities (Non-Complying)

ActivityStatusNotes
Visitor centresD
Community centres and hallsD
Art galleries, arts and cultural centresD
Visitor accommodation - huts and lodgesD
Camping groundsD
Farming or grazing as part of management programmeD
ForestryD
Marae complexD

Non-Complying Activities

ActivityStatus
Activities not provided forNC

Policies

  1. Enable indoor and outdoor organised sports, active recreation, recreation facilities, community activities, accessory activities and associated buildings and structures.
  2. Enable accessory activities that enhance the use and enjoyment of the public open space and that relate to the primary activities on the site.
  3. Design and locate buildings and structures (including additions) to be compatible with the surrounding environment in which they are located, particularly residential environments, and to avoid or mitigate any adverse effects, including visual, dominance, overlooking and shading.
  4. Design and locate buildings, structures and activities so that any adverse effects, including noise, glare and traffic effects, are managed to maintain a reasonable level of amenity value for nearby residents, communities and the surrounding environment.
  5. Maximise the use of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities including through multifunctional use and adaptable designs to increase the capacity and use of the open space.
  6. Limit activities and associated facilities on open space adjoining the coast or a water body to those that have a functional or operational requirement for a coastal location.
  7. Require activities and development in locations adjoining the coast or a water body to meet all of the following:
    • Maintain public access, unless access is to be excluded for safety and security reasons
    • Maintain the visual amenity of the coastal environment and water bodies
    • Avoid areas scheduled for their outstanding natural landscape, outstanding or high natural character or historic heritage values
    • Recognise Mana Whenua values

Assessment Criteria — Restricted Discretionary Activities

Organised Sport and Recreation

  1. The extent to which the intensity, scale and duration of the events will adversely affect the use of the open space area for informal recreational use and whether any adverse effects can be remedied or mitigated.
  2. The extent to which the effects are contained within the open space area and do not significantly detract from the amenity value of adjoining properties, particularly residential areas.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Whether the development design and external appearance of any buildings, and any landscaping: (a) is compatible with the character and use of the

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