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Auckland Council has opened for public submissions plans to rezone a council-owned site on Link Crescent, Stanmore Bay that has long been earmarked for a future community hub.
The proposal is to change the zoning of 8-10 Link Drive from open space–informal recreation zone to open space–community zone, “to provide for the future community hub building and activities on the reserve land”.
It falls within a broader plan change (Plan Change 96), which seeks to rezone more than 30 parcels of land across the city to correct errors and anomalies or – as in the case of Link Drive – to “better reflect either its current or future use and development”.
PC96 was notified on January 25, and submissions close on February 23.
The former Rodney District Council first set aside the Link Drive site for a community hub in 2010.
The Whangaparāoa Community Hub Trust, which operates temporarily out of leased space in Coast Plaza mall, envisages the building of a three-storey centre on the site, incorporating space for community groups, medical and counselling services, hot desks, lounge and cafe.
However, in March 2022, the trust advised council through the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board that the land it had designated in its own local Town Plan as a future family centre was not zoned for buildings of a suitable size. (The current open space–informal recreation zoning applies to areas used for outdoor activities, and limits the scale of buildings and structures on the site.)
Four months later the board adopted a resolution approving a local parks management plan but with several additions, including a request to amend zoning for the Link Drive site to open space–community zone.
Trust chair John Davies welcomed the latest development, and encouraged members of the community to write in support of the plan change, through council’s website.
“Whilst two years seems a long time and has no doubt added substantially to the forecast cost of the building, we are delighted to know this plan is now making progress,” he said.
“We look forward to eventually delivering a community centre that will not only be a heart for social services in the most concentrated population grouping in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area but also a high ground public building that can double as an emergency event centre.”
Once submissions on PC96 close, council will prepare a summary of decisions requested by submitters, which will be available to the public. A further submission period may follow and hearings may be held.
Council must give its decision on the provisions and submissions matters within two years of notifying the proposal. Submitters can appeal council’s decision to the Environment Court.
For more information and submissions: https://bit.ly/3OwZUPB
