Lodge Commercial Real Estate Hamilton - Variation 21 Proposed District Plan

Variation 21 of the Proposed District Plan has been tabled to amend the rules for establishing business activity within industrial and commercial service zones of Hamilton. The change has been initiated by the Hamilton City Council to promote the creation of a vibrant city centre. It has elicited a great deal of debate and will no doubt attract a number of submissions by the cut-off date of 1 February 2010.

The primary changes proposed include restricting industrial activities to occur only on industrial land: Retail space larger than 150m2 and offices larger than 250m2 will be non-complying activities.

Secondly, the variation splits the commercial service zone in two. One zone – which is a central commercial service zone around the central city – retains flexibility in the rules for retailing, offices, and other intensive activities that occur in the central city. The second zone – applying to all other current commercial service zones outside the central city – is a general commercial service zone. Within this zone, retail outlets larger than 150m2 and offices larger than 250m2 become a discretionary activity and resource consent will be required to operate.

Although there seems to be a consensus that Hamilton needs a vibrant city centre there are a number of different views on the way to achieve this. Many have already expressed doubts as to whether the proposed variation will achieve it. However, the Hamilton City Council is aware of the impact this variation will have, and is working hard to give all affected parties a voice. They have already extended the submission deadline, which displays a willingness to engage the public for ideas.

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