District Plan Review FAQs
How does a Review work?
What previous consultation is informing the Review?
Why should residential property owners take notice?
How can I participate in the review?
Why is a review needed?
What is the difference between a review and a plan change?
What has to be reviewed?
Will everything in the District Plan be reviewed?
What is a submission?
What is a further submission?
What will Council do with my submission?
When does a District Plan become operative?
The Review is being led by Council planning staff in conjunction with Council and Community Board members.
A District Plan Review takes several years. Kapiti’s started in 2009 with a community-wide scoping exercise on what issues should be addressed and identification of 21 focus areas. Seven discussion documents released in October 2010 received nearly 100 submissions, which influenced topics for workshops held through 2011 with elected members.
Next steps are:
- Draft provisions (late 2011 - early 2012)
- Notification of proposed provisions (Oct 2012),
- Formal submissions
- Further submissions
- Hearings
- Appeals
- Council decisions
- Notification of operative District Plan
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The process started with a good understanding of what people value about living in Kapiti, following extensive consultation for Community Outcomes,
Local Outcome Statements and the Long Term Plan; as well as the Development Management Strategy and the Coastal Management Strategy.
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Most property owners need to refer to the District Plan at some time, when wanting to change their property such as subdividing, building or renovating a house or garage. The Plan has rules on things like boundary setbacks, accessory buildings, decks and fence heights.
Before making a change to your property, you need to check the District Plan to find out if it is permitted, or if you require a resource consent.
The District Plan will also help determine if there are any special restrictions on your property – for example, a tree with historical significance – that may affect your plans.
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You may wish to comment on the District Plan’s general direction or something specific like the impact of changes in your vicinity. After the proposed District Plan is notified there will be at least a month for people to make formal submissions supporting or objecting to any proposals. Council will have special submission forms available if you want to use them. You should indicate on your submission if you wish to speak at a review hearing.
Proposed provisions will be advertised as being available via the website or at Council offices and libraries for comment.
Council will undertake general communication (including media and website updates) as the Review progresses. If you would like to be kept informed directly on any issue, speak to a review team member or have someone address your interest group, contact the Sustainable Development Manager on 04 2964 700 or email districtplanreview@kapiticoast.govt.nz
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A review is a good opportunity to respond to new issues, opportunities and community direction. It also allows any gaps between the District Plan’s policies and the rules that support them to be addressed. For example, it is hoped to remove barriers for resource consent applicants wanting to do things more sustainably.
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While a District Plan is operative, plan changes may be undertaken to address areas that are not working well or in response to changing needs or requirements. A Review is more comprehensive, covering all aspects of the plan more than 10 years old.
There have been many Council and privately instigated plan changes since 1999 that may not require as in-depth review as other provisions.
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Everything that hasn't been changed in the past 10 years, plus anything required by other legislation or mandatory RMA documents including: National and Regional Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards.
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No. Plan changes within the past two or three years, such as Ngarara and Waikanae North development zones, will not be reviewed unless there are obvious and urgent opportunities for improvement.
New provisions, changes to existing provisions and those that have not been altered will be specified when the proposed District Plan is notified.
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A submission is written comment, opinion, concern, support or opposition to a proposal in the District Plan Review. A submission should identify the effects of the proposal, and whether you support or oppose it. It should also identify if you want to talk to your submission at a hearing.
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These are comment on other people’s submissions. After submissions have closed, a summary is prepared including all the decisions requested by submitters. These requests may include changes that would affect you differently to the original proposals.
If you made an initial submission you may make a further submission supporting or opposing someone else’s submission, providing your interest is greater than the general public’s. For example, you would be entitled to make a further submission on a requested change to zoning of land next to your property.
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Council must consider all submissions and have public hearings as requested. However, it may decide it does not agree with your views. If you are not happy with Council’s decision you can appeal to the Environment Court.
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Council must notify (advertise) when the new District Plan takes effect. This can only be after all submissions on the proposed provisions have been considered, hearings completed and any appeals resolved.
Parts may take effect earlier if submissions have been considered and there are no outstanding appeals; if they protect specific resources (historic heritage, indigenous vegetation, etc) or if Council has applied to the Environment Court for legal effect from notification.
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