Town Centre Zone — Whangārei
Zone Purpose
The Town Centre Zone is established as the focal point for the Marsden Point–Ruakaka growth area. It is intended to be developed as an attractive, safe and vibrant place providing primarily retail, commercial, civic and residential activities, with high standards of urban design. The zone complements and supports (rather than competes with) the Whangārei City Centre Zone.
Building Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum building height | 16m above ground level | Primary rule |
| Maximum major structure height | 16m above ground level | Applies to structures |
| Front setback (road boundary) | 0.5m minimum | Entire length of front site frontage |
| Front setback exception: pedestrian entrance | 1.5m maximum setback | Maximum width 2.5m |
| Front setback exception: pedestrian arcade | 6m maximum setback | Maximum width 6m |
| Front setback exception: through-site-link | 6m maximum width | Adjacent to side boundary |
| Front setback exception: service stations & grocery stores | Not applicable | No setback requirement |
| Minimum floor-to-floor height (ground floor) | 4.2m | Interior dimension |
| Minimum floor-to-floor height (above ground floor) | 3.0m | Interior dimension |
| Verandah minimum height above footpath | 3m | Continuous shelter requirement |
| Verandah maximum height above footpath | 4m | Continuous shelter requirement |
| Verandah setback from kerb | 600mm minimum | Or within 600mm where through-site-link applies |
| Verandah minimum width | 1.5m | Except where through-site-link applies (600mm from kerb) |
| Verandah maximum fascia height | 0.5m | Design specification |
| Verandah requirement | All buildings fronting road (except One Tree Point Road) | Continuous line with adjacent verandahs |
| Maximum impervious surface | 90% of site area | Site coverage limit |
| Maximum fence height (non-frontage) | 1.8m | Other site boundaries |
| Fence frontage | By-law required or public health/safety | Alternative: not along frontage |
| Maximum outdoor storage height | 8m above ground level | Stockpile requirement |
| Parking location | Not between building frontage and road | Exception: service stations and grocery stores |
| Parking landscape buffer | 2m depth | Along street frontage, between street and visible car parking |
| Parking landscape composition | Mix of trees, shrubs or ground cover | Must include grass |
Residential Unit Standards
| Rule | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Net Floor Area (1 bedroom) | 45m² | Per residential unit |
| Minimum Net Floor Area (2 bedrooms) | 70m² | Per residential unit |
| Minimum Net Floor Area (3 bedrooms) | 90m² | Per residential unit |
| Minimum Net Floor Area (4+ bedrooms) | 90m² plus 12m² per additional bedroom | Per residential unit |
| Outdoor living court (1 bedroom) | Minimum 4m² and 1.5m depth | Required |
| Outdoor living court (2+ bedrooms) | Minimum 8m² and 2.4m depth | Required |
| Residential unit location | Above ground floor | Policy requirement |
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Minor buildings | Permitted | Exempt from rules TCZ-R3 – R8 and R25 |
| External alteration/addition | Permitted | Does not exceed 10% of gross floor area AND not visible from public place or adjoining site |
| Retail activities | Permitted | Primary or ancillary activity |
| Commercial activities | Permitted | Primary or ancillary activity |
| Offices | Permitted | Primary or ancillary activity |
| Commercial services | Permitted | Primary or ancillary activity |
| Restaurants, cafes, bars, entertainment facilities | Permitted | Primary or ancillary activity |
| Residential activities | Permitted | Primary or ancillary activity; see location requirements |
| Small-scale artisan industrial activities | Permitted | Primary or ancillary activity |
| Buildings (general) | Permitted | Subject to bulk and location standards TCZ-R4 through TCZ-R10 |
| Parking (off-street) | Permitted | Not located between building frontage and road (except service stations/grocery stores) |
| Outdoor storage/stockpile | Permitted | Maximum 8m height; screened from public places and surrounding sites |
| Fencing | Permitted | Complies with height and location requirements |
| Landscaping | Permitted | General development provision |
| Business activities (ground floor) | Permitted | Maximum 300m² Business Net Floor Area per site |
| Business activities (above ground floor) | Permitted | Maximum 800m² Business Net Floor Area per site |
| Office activities (above ground floor) | Permitted | Maximum 800m² Business Net Floor Area per site |
| Entertainment facilities (above ground floor) | Permitted | Maximum 800m² Business Net Floor Area per site |
Restricted Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status | Matters of Discretion |
|---|---|---|
| External alteration/addition (non-compliant) | Restricted Discretionary | Effects on streetscape character and amenity; Screening of car parking/service areas; Appearance from One Tree Point Road; Functional requirements; Compliance with urban design assessment requirement |
| Building design (non-compliant) | Restricted Discretionary | Design of buildings (potential to accommodate range of uses); Effects on amenity and daylight access; Functional requirements |
| Building height/setback (non-compliant) | Restricted Discretionary | Effects on streetscape character and amenity; Pedestrian safety and amenity; Design of buildings (range of uses); Design and scale |
| Fencing (non-compliant) | Restricted Discretionary | Effects of shading and visual dominance; Urban design and passive surveillance; Effects on streetscape character and amenity; Effects on active frontage; Traffic and pedestrian safety; Extent fencing required for health/safety |
| Business activities ground floor (600–800m²) | Restricted Discretionary | Design and scale of building; Adverse effects on active frontage; Building designed to change use in future |
| New buildings (compliant with standards) | Restricted Discretionary | Effects on streetscape character and amenity; Screening of car parking/service areas; Appearance from One Tree Point Road; Functional requirements; Appropriate provision of open space; Compliance with urban design assessment requirement |
| Through-site-links and pedestrian access | Restricted Discretionary | Pedestrian and traffic safety; Walkability and functionality of pedestrian network; Effects on streetscape character and amenity; Functional requirements |
Discretionary Activities
| Activity | Status | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business activities (300–600m² ground floor) | Discretionary | Primary or ancillary activity; maximum 300m² Business Net Floor Area per site |
Non-Complying Activities
| Activity | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rural production activities | Non-Complying | When primary or ancillary activity |
| Industrial activities (large-scale) | Non-Complying | Exception: small-scale artisan industrial permitted |
Prohibited Activities
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Specific uses | Prohibited |
Zone Objectives
| Objective | Description |
|---|---|
| TCZ-O2: City Centre Function and Vitality | Town Centre Zone is an attractive, safe and vibrant place to live, work and visit with a range of residential, commercial, retail and entertainment activities. The primacy, function and vitality of the Whangārei City Centre Zone is protected. |
| TCZ-O4: Residential Activities | Development is of a form, scale and design quality that reinforces Town Centre Zone as the town centre for Marsden Point–Ruakaka community. Residential activities are allowed while ensuring appropriate location and enabling full range of anticipated activities. |
Zone Policies
| Policy | Directive |
|---|---|
| TCZ-P1: Character and Amenity | Require development of quality and design that establishes high amenity and vibrant urban environment; establishes visual quality and interest of streets/public places; contributes to pedestrian amenity, movement, safety and |