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BEWARE THE MEDIUM-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT COMING TO AN OPEN SPACE NEAR YOU.
This open letter depicts our experience with the Kapiti Coast District Council:
The Chief Executive
Kapiti Coast District Council
175 Rimu Road
Paraparaumu 5032
… View moreBEWARE THE MEDIUM-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT COMING TO AN OPEN SPACE NEAR YOU.
This open letter depicts our experience with the Kapiti Coast District Council:
The Chief Executive
Kapiti Coast District Council
175 Rimu Road
Paraparaumu 5032
Dear Mr Darren Edwards,
I am writing to share my view that Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) has served its constituents in an appalling manner regarding the development proposed and now consented by KCDC for 240 Kāpiti Road.
The proposed development required resource consent for several non-complying issues, some which were significant. These were bulldozed through by KCDC in late 2022, fully supporting the developer, and with scant regard for issues raised by neighbouring constituents and ratepayers.
Resource consent was given to build 135 two-storey units and 176 car parks on about 2 hectares, a property presently in a residential property zone, not even identified for Proposed Plan Change 2: Intensification (PC2). This decision, in breach of the current District Plan, means KCDC appears to consider the whole Kapiti Coast is ripe for it to do with as it wishes.
The questionable tactics of the KCDC in support of the applicant/developer can be demonstrated by:
• The Council could have declined the non-complying application if it had any concerns at all for the existing residents. Given that the developer paid about six-times the rateable value of the property, it could leave residents wondering if the application was a done deal long before the residents and ratepayers were able to become involved.
• When the developer, soon after submitting his application, fills in a pond on the property without the required resource consents – presumably to remove a future ‘impediment’ to intended earthworks – which the council and the developer’s consultants deny any knowledge of, even though the pond’s existence is mentioned in the developer’s original application.
• When the residents and ratepayers in the neighbourhood seriously objected to:
o The increase in traffic, over 1000 vehicle movements a day as indicated by the developer’s planning consultants (an increase suggested to be “less than minor”) entering and exiting through their streets – because KCDC had decided (with no community engagement) that this was too much traffic to enter or exit directly from Kapiti Road; and,
o Their belief that the proposed development will become a social housing complex within a very short time – if not purchased outright by Kainga Ora.
• When some 200 to 300 people are going to be living in these units on about 2 hectares of asphalt, concrete, and imitation grass – I cannot see many wanting to buy a unit for themselves, most with a floor area of about 72m2, in terraced blocks, with little internal and external privacy, no carport, little storage, no clothesline, nowhere for kids to play safely, nowhere to put kids’ bikes, toys, etc. Requests for a copy of the Body Corporate Agreement for occupants have been unsuccessful. Neighbours are concerned about large numbers of dogs and cats, as well as mechanisms to engage with residents over issues like noise, parking, and waste management.
• I suggest that, like similar projects around the country, this development will become a breeding ground for discontent, for crime, and for other undesirable activities – thus destroying the desirable aspects that residents in the area have spent many years building.
• When the developer and KCDC decide to hold a ‘limited notification’ hearing, knowing that far more than the small number of immediate boundary properties will be affected by any granting of resource consent, particularly the impact of traffic movements and parking.
• When KCDC employed for the resource consent hearing a commissioner whose company, Incite, is all but a contracted employee of the council. The Commissioner could not therefore reasonably claim impartiality when his business is the recipient of very substantial KCDC contracts each year. KCDC was advised that there would be a challenge to his appointment as commissioner. KCDC’s solicitor attended the first part of the hearing, when the commissioner stated he was ‘insulted’ and ‘offended’ by the challenge. These comments were then included in his decision document. A person entirely independent of the council and applicant should have been appointed. Perception is often reality for many people.
• When councillors are ‘gagged’ from communicating with those opposing the development and the resource consent application on the basis that they are not allowed to be involved in Council “operational” matters. Some people may wonder where accountability for Council operational decisions and processes lies.
• Where are the environmental, social and cultural impact studies to support this population explosion here on the Coast – our roads are shot, schools and colleges are pretty much full, medical practitioners and facilities can’t cope, the public transport system can’t be relied on with any degree of certainty, property rates are increasing at an unaffordable rate – and we have a council more interested in spending money on Te Uruhi than dealing with the real problems of the area.
• With the current council driving through these intensification developments under the disguise of central government policy – regardless of ‘non-compliances,’ and the views of the public – Kapiti may quite quickly become an undesirable place to live.
I can see why so few people bother to vote at local council elections – promises made by those elected regarding ‘listening to’ and ‘working alongside’ their constituents/ ratepayers do not exist – certainly not with the present council. I have requested a face-to-face meeting with KCDC’s Group Manager – Regulatory Services, James Jefferson. Not surprisingly, no response has been received, hence this letter to you.
Most Kāpiti coast residents and ratepayers, me included, want to be represented by a council they can trust and respect. We may not always agree with council’s decisions but rules and regulations, like those in the District Plan, should not be walked over or ignored. We would like to believe that we have been heard and be able to learn how our involvement shaped council’s decisions.
Since resource consent was granted, real estate appraisals for the sale of our property estimate the loss in sales value will be around 10% (some $120,000 – $150,000) due to this impending ‘social housing’ build – a loss, which in our retirement years, we cannot afford nor hope to recover. We would like to know what KCDC plans in the way of compensation for this +$100,000 loss should we sell our property in the near future. This is not an imaginary amount – it has been noted by four separate real estate agencies appraising and valuing our property for sale.
As you may have deduced, people can get grumpy when they have been patronised or ignored. I hope that this letter to you does not fall on deaf ears and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely
Malcolm Ward
Paraparaumu Beach 5032
Our contractors will be chipsealing a small section of Kāpiti Road between Cedar Drive and Langdale Road this afternoon. This work should take about 3 hours complete and a mixture of Stop / Go and Contraflow will be in place to manage traffic. Please follow the direction of those on site and take … View moreOur contractors will be chipsealing a small section of Kāpiti Road between Cedar Drive and Langdale Road this afternoon. This work should take about 3 hours complete and a mixture of Stop / Go and Contraflow will be in place to manage traffic. Please follow the direction of those on site and take alternative routes if possible.
Curtains are an essential part of every home’s decor. And having the right curtains can be the last piece to the puzzle - the furnishing that makes the room, while having the wrong ones . . . well, no one wants to look at bad curtains.
When given an option, should the curtains be lined or … View moreCurtains are an essential part of every home’s decor. And having the right curtains can be the last piece to the puzzle - the furnishing that makes the room, while having the wrong ones . . . well, no one wants to look at bad curtains.
When given an option, should the curtains be lined or non-lined? What are the differences? We'll find out in this article.
Lined curtains, as the name would suggest, have a supplemental lining on the inside of the curtain. This lining can be multifunctional so it’s best to consider what you want to achieve with your curtains.
Sometimes the lining is simply for decoration, giving the curtain a bit of depth and extra weight, perhaps offering a splash of colour to offset the primary colour of the curtain.
More often than not, they are often designed to be noise cancelling, heat insulating, or fully light blocking, among other things. If for example, you’re planning your living room to also be a fully functional home entertainment centre, 100% blackout - lined curtains would be your best bet.
Lined curtains offer better privacy due to the extra thickness of the fabric. They often have extended lifetime compared to unlined curtains due solely to the lining preventing the fabric from fading.
Unlined curtains, on the other hand, have their own advantages.
They are both lighter and airier making them perfect for rooms that have either smaller or fewer windows and a tendency to remain dark.
They allow natural sunlight to fill the chosen area while still providing privacy to the homeowner. This has the added benefit of reducing the potential need for electrical light and thus ultimately reducing one’s electric bill.
Another perk is that unlined curtains cost less than lined curtains on average and so are a more affordable solution. The reduced amount of fabric used for unlined curtains also means that they attract less dust than lined curtains, which in turn creates fewer risks for those with allergies.
They are washing machine-friendly which is huge in itself. You will save both time and money avoiding dry cleaning.
Lastly, for those people who enjoy changing the appearance of the room frequently, unlined curtains are easier to hang or take down and store, and with their reduced costs, infinite combinations are possible.
Whether choosing lined or unlined curtains, the fact remains that curtains are the one element that pulls a room together. Both options have their pros and cons so homeowners must consider what purpose the curtains will be fulfilled before making their purchase.
You are invited to join us, in a kind, caring environment, every Monday at 12.30pm, except February 6th. Our definition of art includes everything creative, from knitting and colouring in to oil painting, 3D modelling and card making. We welcome everyone. We meet at The Levin Bowling Club, in … View moreYou are invited to join us, in a kind, caring environment, every Monday at 12.30pm, except February 6th. Our definition of art includes everything creative, from knitting and colouring in to oil painting, 3D modelling and card making. We welcome everyone. We meet at The Levin Bowling Club, in Wereroa Road, next door to Horowhenua College.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet opens its 70th anniversary season with a fresh, new production of the ever-popular Tutus on Tour coming to Te Raukura from 23rd to 25th February.
See dancers from your national ballet company performing an enchanting collection of works which encapsulate the history… View moreThe Royal New Zealand Ballet opens its 70th anniversary season with a fresh, new production of the ever-popular Tutus on Tour coming to Te Raukura from 23rd to 25th February.
See dancers from your national ballet company performing an enchanting collection of works which encapsulate the history of ballet, including treasures from the RNZB’s recent past alongside classical favourites, and exciting new works which will delight dance fans of all ages. With just four shows and adult tickets starting at $37 (plus booking fee), seats are selling fast.
Find out more and book at rnzb.org.nz.
hardback excellent condition. published by Doubleday in 2012. inscription on inside page but sadly not from Terry!!
Ōtaki Beach's basketball court is set to get a new lease of life.
Work started today to clean the concrete and repair cracks and uneven parts of the court. It is expected to take one week to complete. The repairs will make the area more usable for all members of our community.
There is … View moreŌtaki Beach's basketball court is set to get a new lease of life.
Work started today to clean the concrete and repair cracks and uneven parts of the court. It is expected to take one week to complete. The repairs will make the area more usable for all members of our community.
There is plenty of other work underway at our parks, including:
🚗 Tilley Road Reserve carpark in Paekākāriki will be repaired and partially resurfaced from 30 January–2 February
💪 the adult exercise equipment at the Milne Drive Reserve playground in Paraparaumu will be open from Monday, 30 January. The equipment was installed last week as the final part of the playground's revamp, but has been fenced off to allow the concrete bases to cure
🤾🏼♀️ Shotover Reserve playground in Waikanae will be closed from 31 January to undergo its revamp. The Shotover Reserve playground's new look will be based on what you told us during consultation in 2021
It's the last week of the school holidays for some so check out our #KapitiSummer summer events calendar to help with the boredom busting and get your tamariki exploring Kāpiti! To see the full list of events, visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz...
🐰 Kāpiti Coast District Libraries are … View moreIt's the last week of the school holidays for some so check out our #KapitiSummer summer events calendar to help with the boredom busting and get your tamariki exploring Kāpiti! To see the full list of events, visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz...
🐰 Kāpiti Coast District Libraries are celebrating the Lunar New Year
🚲 our Find Your Play team have free events throughout the week including the Bike Rodeo and Scavenger Hunt on Saturday
💦 it's the last week of Summer SPLASH at our pools and aquatic centre and it's also the last Manu Bomb Competition of summer!
Don't forget to get the kids colouring in their suns with the Summer Reading programme and if you are stuck for ideas for holiday fun, download our #KapitiKids summer activity sheet - www.kapiticoast.govt.nz...
These are great for outdoor projects or firewood . Collection Raumati Beach . Keen to have them gone asap
Live independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.
A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and … View moreLive independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.
A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and her family so much happiness and reassurance.
“All the family cried when he moved in. They were so happy because it was such a beautiful thing to have him close by.”
Get New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.
Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, … View moreGet New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.
Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, Nick’s own furry friend.
Don't forget the Mahara Place mid-week MARKET is on TOMORROW (Tuesday) from 9.30am until midday near the new library in Waikanae. , Fresh Fruit & Veg, Plants & Seedlings, Award winning Olive Oil, Yummy Local Honey, Locally grown Avocados, Junk For Joy - Upcycled & Repurposed Items … View moreDon't forget the Mahara Place mid-week MARKET is on TOMORROW (Tuesday) from 9.30am until midday near the new library in Waikanae. , Fresh Fruit & Veg, Plants & Seedlings, Award winning Olive Oil, Yummy Local Honey, Locally grown Avocados, Junk For Joy - Upcycled & Repurposed Items including Furniture, Crochet Toys, Sewing Crafts, Knits, The Rawleigh's Man, Bric-a-brac, Books and lots lots more. See you there...SUPPORT LOCAL!!
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