The Mixed Use Settlement Zone is intended to retain and protect the distinctive characteristics of Arapuni, whilst promoting some limited additional development of an appropriate form. The zone provisions have been formulated to give effect to the outcomes sought by the community in the Arapuni Concept Plan (2007). The concept plan sets out a vision for Arapuni based on the principles of maintaining the quality of the environment, promoting Arapuni as a ‘slow town’, providing facilities for visitors, maintaining the historic values of the settlement, encouraging local ‘cottage industries’, and retaining the ‘village atmosphere’ of Arapuni.
The built form of Arapuni is characterised by predominantly residential land-use, relatively small residential units on large allotments, buildings located close to boundaries and street fronts, large grassed street berms (rather than concrete kerb and channel) and a slow traffic speed environment. These characteristics collectively create a distinctive ‘village atmosphere’ that this zone seeks to retain.
The zone provisions provide for limited growth within the existing settlement, and with a focus on providing some employment opportunities for residents primarily based on meeting the needs of residents and tourism-related activities, such as a cafe, some retail activity, and home-based ‘cottage industries’. The opportunities for Arapuni as an evolving tourist destination relate strongly to the proximity to the Waikato River Trails, and fishing and boating activities. Provisions have been formulated to prevent intensification in a manner that would detrimentally impact on the particular characteristics of Arapuni.
Whilst growth opportunities are limited within Arapuni itself, the Rural Lifestyle Zone does provide opportunities for rural-residential development to the south of Arapuni, and along parts of Horahora Road. There is the potential for extra residents in these areas to contribute to the viability of commercial and social services in Arapuni.
To have attractive, functional, safe and thriving townships built on the unique qualities of their people, industries, history and natural strengths
To establish a range of housing styles, cultural facilities and recreational activities that cater for changing lifestyles, an aging population and the diverse ethnicity of the town’s population
To provide for outward expansion of existing townships where the new areas can be efficiently serviced with network utilities and infrastructure including provision for cycling and pedestrians, and where funding provision has been made consistent with the level of projected demand for new building sites for residential units and businesses.
Enable home businesses and a range of non-residential activities in the MU-MU-SETZ where the effects of these businesses are consistent with maintaining the character and amenity values of the residential neighbourhoods.
Retain the distinctive low-density nature and village character of the built form of Arapuni.
Promote a high standard of urban design for new development, including reflecting the settlement’s past and the locality’s Raukawa heritage, and consideration of community safety and CPTED principles.
Enable emergency service facilities to establish and operate throughout the district by implementing appropriate development controls.
MU-MU-SETZ-R1 PER Activities |
Subject to |
(1) One residential unit per site |
(a) MU-MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (5) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant |
(2) Accessory buildings |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (5) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant |
(3) Home business |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (5) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant (c) The home business involving not more than one third of the total floor space of buildings on the site (d) involve no more than up to four full-time equivalent staff (e) does not generate more than a total of 20 vehicle movements per day (i.e., a total of 10 vehicles involved in the commercial activity visiting and leaving the site) (f) shall not generate vehicle movements between the hours of 7.00pm and 7.00am (g) does not involve any exterior display or indication of the home business activity (apart from signs in compliance with the relevant standards) (h) does not cause any dust nuisance and/or objectionable odour as defined by a Council Enforcement Officer (i) does not include motor vehicle repair garages; wrecking and/or storage or recycling of vehicles; storage or recycling of vehicle parts, redundant white ware, bicycle frames, tyres, household waste, clothing, general rubbish; panel beating, spray painting or fibre-glassing; or facilities for the boarding, breeding and/or training of animals on a commercial basis. (j) does not include the slaughtering of animals, or the manufacturing or retail sale of food prepared in the kitchen of the residential unit |
(4) Craft workshops and studios |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (3) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant |
(5) Community care housing |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (3) (b) No more than 8 persons per site, excluding staff (c) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant |
(6) Educational facility | |
(7) Visitor accommodation | |
(8) Retail activities and commercial services on sites with frontage to Arapuni Road |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (3) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant |
(9) Unlicensed cafes and restaurants on sites with frontage to Arapuni Road | |
(10) Community facility |
(a) MU-SETZ R6(1) to (3) (b) Gross floor area not exceeding 100 m2 (c) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant |
(11) Recreation and sporting activities on parks and reserves |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (3) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant |
(12) Indoor sporting and recreation facilities provided for in a reserve management plan | |
(13) Carparks | |
(14) Emergency Service Facilities | |
(15) Relocatable buildings |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (5) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant (c) Any relocatable building intended for use as a residential unit (excluding previously used garages and accessory buildings) must have been designed, built, and used as a residential unit. (d) A building pre-inspection report by an independent Licenced Building Practitioner (design) or building surveyor shall accompany the application for a building consent for the destination site prior to relocation. That report is to identify: (i) All reinstatement works that are to be completed to the exterior of the building, and (ii) Proposed insulation to meet Clause H1 (energy efficiency) of the New Zealand Building Code (for Zone 2) for underfloor and ceiling insulation (compliance is to be ascertained in accordance with the compliance document for the New Zealand Building Code, Clause H1 Energy Efficiency - third edition, or any equivalent solution.) (e) The building shall be located on permanent foundations approved by building consent, no later than 2 months of the building being moved to the site. (f) All other reinstatement work and insulation required by the building inspection report and the building consent to reinstate the exterior of any relocatable residential unit shall be completed within 12 months of the building being delivered to the site. Reinstatement work is to include connections to all infrastructure services and closing in and ventilation of the foundations. (g) The proposed owner of the relocated building must certify to the Council that all reinstatement work will be completed within the twelve-month period of the building being delivered to the site. |
MU-SETZ-R2 CON Activities |
Subject to |
(a) Licensed restaurants and bars on sites with frontage to Arapuni Road |
(a) MU-SETZ-R6(1) to (3) (b) MU-SETZ-R7 where relevant Matters of control (a) The hours of operation, noise levels, parking provision and the effect of vehicular access upon traffic safety. |
MU-SETZ-R3 RDIS Activities |
Subject to |
(1) Any activity listed in MU-SETZ-R1 (PER Activities) or MU-SETZ-R2 (CON Activities) that does not comply with the Standards in MU-SETZ-R6 |
Matters of discretion (a) Matters relating to the effect of non-compliance (b) For MU-SETZ-R2 non-compliances, the hours of operation, noise levels, parking provision and the effect of vehicular access upon traffic safety (c) AA-R3(2) |
MU-SETZ-R4 DIS Activities |
Subject to |
(1) Activities that are not PER, CON, RDIS or NC will be DIS activities in the MU-MU-SETZ. |
Matters of Discretion AA-R4(1) and (2) |
(2) More than one residential unit per site |
(a) AA-R4(1) (b) Separation and design of residential units for visual and aural privacy, including screening, the bulk of proposed buildings in relation to neighbouring properties, and the location of open space and glazing (c) Arrangement of yard space, including the use of zero lot lines, common open space and room for trees and landscaping (d) The orientation, roof pitch and style, and footprint of the residential units, in terms of promoting a difference from other residential units existing or proposed nearby (e) The location of any garages or carports, and the layout of access drives, parking and manoeuvring spaces, in terms of maximising the amount and amenity of outdoor living space, promoting safety and minimising conflict between vehicles and people using the site and adjoining properties and roads. |
(3) Health care services |
AA-R4(1) and (2) |
(4) Veterinary services | |
(5) Marae development and papakāinga |
(a) AA-R4(1) (b) The potential impact of the development on traffic safety and efficiency (c) The effect of any educational and employment initiatives upon the amenity values of nearby properties (d) The extent of the potential social, economic and cultural benefits of the proposal for Tangata Whenua. |
MU-SETZ-R5 NC Activities |
|
(1) Industrial activities |
Matters of Discretion MU-SETZ-R6 used as a guide. |
(2) Service industry | |
(3) Outdoor storage | |
(4) Offices | |
(5) Service stations including motor vehicle repair |
(1) Building Setbacks
(a) Buildings must be setback from the front boundary at least 3m
(b) Buildings must be setback from side and rear boundaries at least 1.5m
Exception: Subject to the written consent of adjoining owners any building setback other than a front setback may be reduced to whatever level is acceptable to the parties.
(2) Building Height
(a) Maximum Building Height - 8 metres
The maximum height for Emergency Service Facilities is 15m
(b) Maximum Height in Relation to Boundary - No part of any building shall protrude through a plane rising at an angle of 45 degrees commencing at an elevation of 3 metres measured at the boundary.
(c) Parts of buildings that may protrude through the height control lines are chimneys, flues and similar projections, television, and telecommunication aerials and dishes, rainwater tanks, domestic scale renewable energy devices, and in addition on commercial and industrial buildings, lift machinery, air-conditioning and heating plants; all attached to the building and projecting not more than 3m above the building height standard for the zone, and less than 4m2 in area.
(3) Building Coverage
(a) The maximum extent that buildings can cover a site is 35%.
(b) The maximum building coverage for Emergency Service Facilities is 55%.
(4) Outdoor Living Space
(a) Each residential unit shall have an outdoor living space with a minimum of 50m2 in area, that is directly accessible from the residential unit. At least 50% of the area shall be to the north of the building, with the minimum dimension being 2.5m, and with one part of the area capable of containing a rectangle of 4m by 6 m.
(b) The outdoor area is for the exclusive use of each residential unit that is readily accessible from the residential unit, and is free of buildings, driveways, vehicle manoeuvring areas, and parking spaces. An outdoor living space may include the area beneath eaves, and uncovered decks and terraces.
(5) Exclusions/Inclusions for residential units
(a) Residential units do not include residential use of tents, buses or caravans/camper vans, whether in association with use of another building or not, except for a period not exceeding one month
(b) It includes the construction, alteration, removal or demolition of residential units (except buildings listed in SCHED1-HH, an existing residential unit moved within the same site, and new prefabricated residential units that are constructed elsewhere and then moved onto the site.
The following may also be relevant:
(1) Section 7.1 Energy, 7.2 Infrastructure, 7.3 Transportation
(2) Section 8.1 Contaminated Land, 8.2 Hazardous Substances, 8.3 Natural Hazards
(3) Section 9.1 Historic Heritage, 9.2 Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori,
(4) Section 10.1 Ecosystems and Indigenous Biodiversity, 10.2 Natural Character, 10.3 Natural Features and Landscapes, 10.4 Public Access
(5) Chapter 11 Subdivision
(6) Section 12.1 All Activities
(7) Section 12.2 Activities on the Surface of Water, 12.3 Air Emissions, 12.4 Earthworks, 12.5 Financial Contributions, 12.6 Light,12.7 Noise, 12.8 Signs, 12.9 Temporary Activities
(8) Part 3- Any relevant overlay
Arapuni is a small rural village of around 260 residents located 16 kilometres to the west of Putaruru. Arapuni is the western gateway to the district and lies on the Waitomo to Rotorua tourist route. Significant characteristics of Arapuni are the history of the settlement as a government ‘hydro town’ to house workers during the construction of the Arapuni dam dating from the 1920s. The particular character of residential units within Arapuni dating from that period, the proximity to the Arapuni dam and power station, and the proximity to the Waikato River and Maungatautari (the latter recognised in the Waikato Regional Policy Statement as being an outstanding natural landscape) all contribute to the distinctive character of Arapuni. Restoring and protecting the health and wellbeing of the catchment within which Arapuni is located is also essential to achieve the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River.
The MU-MU-SETZ within the Arapuni village is intended to achieve the following anticipated environmental results:
Limited residential intensification allowed, and new land uses are compatible with the existing scale and land-use within Arapuni
Future residential development will be contained with the existing boundary of Arapuni
New businesses establish within Arapuni mainly in the form of tourist-related activities and ‘cottage industries’ in the form of home businesses
Retain the distinctive characteristics of the built form of Arapuni
Any new subdivision, land use or development is consistent with achieving the Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River