Zoning Appeal Involving Caledonian Hall Allowed

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 7

Zoning Appeal Involving Caledonian Hall Allowed

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, April 27. An appeal by Marion Eleanor Thomsen against a decision by the Christchurch City Council concerning zoning in Peterborough street has been allowed by the Town and Country Planmcg Appeal Beard. The appellant is the owner and occupier of a residential property at 132 Peterborough street, which adjoins property owned by the Canterbury Caledonian Society. Under the council's proposed district scheme, the Caledonian property was zoned as residential B. The society lodged an objection, claiming that its property should be zoned Commercial B. and the appellant lodged a crossobjection. The council allowed the society’s objection in part by zoning the southern part of the property as Commercial B and the northern part, with a frontage to Peterborough street, as Residential B. The present appeal was then lodged against this decision. The board found that the area in which the appellant’s property is situated is zoned Residential, and is predominantly so in character and occupancy. “Detraction Suffered" “There can be no doubt that the extension of the society’s buildings on to the southern half of its property would detract to some degree from the amenities of the appellant's residential property,” says the judgment. "The evidence indica’es that residences in Peterborough street do suffer some detraction by reason of some of the

functions and dances held in the nearby Caledonian Hall. “Such disturbance as does take place may arise in part from the conduct of patrons after they leave the hall, but that is not a matter which can be controlled in any way by the Caledonian Society itself. Residents in areas such as this, situated on the fringe of the city, cannot escape some disturbance from the activities of people parking in the streets, and going into the centre of the city to attend various places of amusement.” Society’s “Useful" Function The board said that an unrestricted use of the southern half of the society’s property could well detract from the amenities of the appellant's home, but it also gave consideration to the useful function performed by the society’s activities in community life.

“It is considered that the position can be reasonably met by allowing the appeal, and directing that the I southern half of the society’s property be re-zoned as Residential B, with a direction that the society should be permitted to extend its buildings on to the southern half of its Peterborough street property as a conditional use. subject to such restrictions as the respondent council may see fit to impose in order to minimise, as far as possible, any undue interference with the amenities of the residential neighbours," the judgment ended.