Planning and Environment Committee

MINUTES

 

Minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee held remotely by audio and audio visual link on Thursday 14 May 2020, commencing at 1:35 pm.

 

PRESENT

 

Chairperson

Cr David Benson-Pope

 

Deputy Chairperson

Cr Sophie Barker

Cr Steve Walker

Members

Cr Rachel Elder

Cr Christine Garey

 

Cr Doug Hall

Mayor Aaron Hawkins

 

Cr Carmen Houlahan

Cr Marie Laufiso

 

Cr Mike Lord

Cr Jim O'Malley

 

Cr Jules Radich

Cr Chris Staynes

 

Cr Lee Vandervis

Cr Andrew Whiley

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Sue Bidrose (Chief Executive Officer), Simon Drew (General Manager Infrastructure Services), Simon Pickford (General Manager Community Services), Sandy Graham (General Manager City Services), Adrian Blair (Group Manager Customer and Regulatory Services), Anne Gray (Policy Analyst) and Michael Garbett (Council’s solicitor - Item 6 only)

 

Governance Support Officer                  Jennifer Lapham and Lynne Adamson

 

 

1          Public Forum

1.1       Public Forum - Petition to keep two way traffic on George Street, Dunedin

 

Brent Weatherall and John Bezett, Central Dunedin Business Group, presented a petition “Keep Two Way Traffic on George Street, Dunedin”.  They advised that the petition had 6,300 signatures and requested that the Council undertake extensive consultation regarding their proposals. 

 

 

1.2   Public Forum - Otago Chamber of Commerce re safer CBD streets as part of Covid-19 response.

 

 

Dougal McGowan, Otago Chamber of Commerce spoke to the meeting concerning the report on Safer CBD Streets – Covid-19 response.  Mr McGowan questioned whether the Councillors had sufficient information to make a decision regarding the proposal.

 

Moved (Chairperson David Benson-Pope/Cr Mike Lord):

That the Committee:

a)     Extends the time for the public forum beyond 30 minutes to allow all speakers to be heard.   

 Motion carried

 

 

 

1.3       Public Forum – Automobile Association

Malcolm Budd, Automobile Association spoke on the petition to keep two way traffic on George Street, Dunedin.  He expressed concern regarding the proposals to reduce the speed limit on George Street and the impact on traffic flows. 

 

1.4       Public Forum – Generation Zero

Jenny Coatham and Lydia Le Gros, Generation Zero spoke on speed limit change and NZTA Innovating Streets Fund.  They encouraged the Council to apply for funding from the NZTA Innovating Streets Fund, which helps the community re-arrange streets and businesses during this time.

 

1.5       Public Forum – Richard Thomson

             Richard Thomson spoke to the committee regarding the urban design of George Street.  Mr Thomson commented on the difference between engagement and consultation and suggested that in order for the Council to make informed decisions more engagement should be undertaken.

 

 

2          Apologies

There were no apologies.

 

3          Confirmation of agenda

 

Cr Radich requested that discussion on item 6, Safer CBD Streets – Covid-19 Response be deferred until Friday morning 15 May 2020 to enable him to seek advice from the Office of the Auditor General on his potential conflict of interest.

 

Sandy Graham (General Manager City Services) and Michael Garbett (Legal Counsel) were in attendance and responded to questions.

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Rachel Elder):

That the Committee:

 

a)       Defer the discussion of item 6, Safer CBD Streets – Covid-19 Response until 9 am on Friday 15 May 2020.

 

Foll

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Marie Laufiso):

             That meeting adjourn for 5 minutes:

 

                         Motion carried

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 2.51 pm and reconvened at 2.55 pm.

 

 

Following discussion the motion was put by division

 

Division

             The Committee voted by division

 

For:                 Crs Sophie Barker, David Benson-Pope, Rachel Elder, Doug Hall, Carmen Houlahan, Mike Lord, Jim O’Malley, Jules Radich and Andrew Whiley (9)

Against:         Crs Christine Garey, Marie Laufiso, Chris Staynes, Steve Walker and Mayor Hawkins (6)

 

The division was declared CARRIED by 9 votes to 6

 

Motion carried (PLA/2020/007)

 

 

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Christine Garey):

That the Committee:

 

Confirms the agenda with the following additions and alterations:

 

In regards to Standing Order 21.4, that Option C be adopted in relation to moving and seconding and speaking to amendments.

 

DCC Submission – Accessible Streets, referred from the Infrastructure Services Committee be taken as item 7.

 

Motion carried (PLA/2020/008)

 

4          Declarations of interest

Members were reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arose between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Rachel Elder):

That the Committee:

 

a)     Notes  the Elected Members' Interest Register; and

b)     Confirms the proposed management plan for Elected Members' Interests.

 Motion carried (PLA/2020/009)

 

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Steve Walker):

That meeting adjourn for 7 minutes.

 

 Motion carried

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 3.34 pm and reconvened at 3.40 pm.

Part A Reports

5          Footpath courtesy zone evaluation

 

In a report from Corporate Policy an update was provided on results of the footpath courtesy zone trial and requested that Council discontinue the footpath courtesy zone trial.

 

The Group Manager Customer and Regulatory Services (Adrian Blair )and the Policy Analyst (Anne Gray) spoke to the report and responded to questions.

 

During discussion Cr Houlihan returned to the meeting, after the adjournment, at 3.45 pm.

 

 

Moved (Cr Lee Vandervis/Cr Jim O'Malley):

That the Committee:

 

a)     Notes the results of the footpath courtesy zone evaluation

b)     Notes the New Zealand Transport Agency update

c)     Discontinues the footpath courtesy zone trial

Motion carried (PLA/2020/010)

 

7          DCC Submission - Accessible Streets

At the Infrastructure and Networks Committee meeting of 12 May 2020 it was resolved “that the matter lay on the table to be uplifted for discussion at the Planning and Environment Committee on 14 May 2020” 

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Mike Lord):

That the Committee:

a)     Uplifts the item from the table.  

Motion carried (PLA/2020/011)

 

 

 

In a report from Transport approval was sought for the submission to the Ministry of Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on the ‘Accessible Streets’ rules package.

 

General Manager Infrastructure Services (Simon Drew), spoke to the report and responded to questions.

 

 

Moved (Cr Jim O'Malley/Cr Steve Walker):

That the Committee:

 

a)         Approves the DCC submission to the Ministry of Transport and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on the 'Accessible Streets' rules package with the following amendments

i)               Change question 27 tick box response from ‘agree’ to ‘strongly agree’

ii)             Replace question 37 comment “There is strong evidence that increasing visibility of transport devices through fitting of lights and reflectors increases the safety of device users and other road users.”

iii)           Replace question 39 comment with “Yes, this should be a requirement. There is strong evidence that increasing visibility of transport devices (powered and unpowered) through fitting of lights and reflectors increases the safety of device users and other road users. We also suggest that NZTA investigates rule changes for vehicles, cycles and transport devices to meet lighting requirements during day time.”

Motion carried (PLA/2020/012)   with Mayor Hawkins recording his abstention.

 

8          Notice of Motion - Dunedin Rail

 

In accordance with Standing Order 26.1 a Notice of Motion was received from Mayor Aaron Hawkins. 

 

Mayor Hawkins spoke to his Notice of Motion which was then considered by the Committee.

 

 

Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Jim O'Malley):

That the Committee:

 

a)     Receives the Notice of Motion

b)     Continues to see a future for rail in Dunedin;

c)     Supports the Keep Dunedin Rail Rolling campaign as a vehicle for promoting that;

d)     Continues to advocate for improved funding and policy settings for rail, and to explore funding and service delivery models for rail in the city where appropriate;

e)     Requests a report in time for Annual Plan deliberations costing a feasibility study for a commuter rail pilot using Dunedin Railways Ltd assets, in time to be of use for the Regional Public Transport Plan; and

f)     Explores funding options to offset the cost of this.

Division

The Committee voted by division

 

For:                  Crs Sophie Barker, Rachel Elder, Christine Garey, Doug Hall, Carmen Houlahan, Marie Laufiso, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Jules Radich, Steve Walker, Andrew Whiley, David Benson-Pope and Mayor Aaron Hawkins (13).

Against:          Crs Mike Lord and Lee Vandervis (2).

 

The division was declared CARRIED by 13 votes to 2

Motion carried (PLA/2020/013)

 

9          Items for Consideration by the Chair

 

There were no items notified. 

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Rachel Elder):

             That the Committee adjourn the meeting until 9 am Friday 15 May 2020.

 

Motion carried

 

 

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 4.01 pm and reconvened at 9.03 am on Friday 15 May 2020.

 

6          Safer CBD Streets - COVID-19 response

 

A report from Transport proposed measures aimed at encouraging people to return to shopping areas to support local businesses, while also enabling safe physical distancing

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Steve Walker):

             That the Committee adjourns the meeting.

 

Motion carried

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9.05 and reconvened at 9.08 am.

 

 

In response to a question Cr Radich advised that an application had been filed with the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) regarding his potential conflict of interest and the OAG had indicated the intent to provide a response by close of business on Tuesday, 19 May 2020.  

 

 

Moved (Cr Jules Radich/Cr Doug Hall):

             That the meeting be adjourned until Wednesday 20 May 2020 at 9.00 am.

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Mayor Aaron Hawkins):

               That the Committee adjourns the meeting to allow the Chairperson to take advice from staff.

 

Motion carried

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 9.17 am and reconvened at 9.21 am.

 

 

 

Following discussion on the motion the Committee voted by division

 

Division

 

For:                  Crs Doug Hall, Carmen Houlahan, Jules Radich and Andrew Whiley (4).

Against:         Crs Sophie Barker, Christine Garey, Marie Laufiso, Mike Lord, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Lee Vandervis, Steve Walker, David Benson-Pope and Mayor Hawkins (10).

Abstained:    Cr Rachel Elder (1).

 

The division was declared LOST  10 votes to 4

 

Motion lost (PLA/2020/014)

 

 

Cr Radich withdrew from this item.

 

 

General Manager Infrastructure Services (Simon Drew), spoke to the report and responded to questions.  

 

During discussion on the item Cr Elder left the meeting.

 

 

Moved (Mayor Aaron Hawkins/Cr Christine Garey):

That the Committee:

a)       Approves the recommended temporary interventions for low speed streets, in order to support people safe physical distancing in the city centre under Alert Level 2; noting that:

i)                    All of the these will be easily reversible; and that

ii)                   The temporary speed limit can be changed within the maximum twelve month period;

iii)                 Asks staff to engage with community representatives to ensure that adequate provision is made for cyclists, and pedestrians with mobility challenges;

iv)                 Agrees to continue free parking in the mapped area, with enforcement of time limits, to be reviewed monthly. 

v)                   Notes the engagement plan as prepared for neighbourhood groups, but directs any such interest to the Speed Limit Bylaw 11 process;

vi)                 Asks staff to progress an application to the NZTA Innovating Streets fund to contribute to any costs incurred Government funding to contribute to any costs incurred;

vii)               Asks staff to liaise with any affected parties and stakeholders to refine the interventions if necessary, in response to any issues that may arise; and

 

viii)              Delegates to staff to implement the work in the most effective and cost effective way. 

 

Division

 

The committee voted by division

 

For:                  Crs Sophie Barker, Christine Garey, Doug Hall, , Marie Laufiso, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Steve Walker ,David Benson-Pope and Mayor Aaron Hawkins (9).

Against:          Crs Carmen Houlahan, Mike Lord, Lee Vandervis and Andrew Whiley (4).

Absent:          Cr Rachel Elder

Withdrawn:  Cr Jules Radich

 

Motion carried by division 9 votes to 4 (PLA/2020/015)

 

 

The meeting concluded at 12.05 pm on Friday 15 May 2020.

 

 

 

 

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C H A I R P E R S O N