1. Purpose and Origin of the Report Te Pūtake Pūrongo
1.1 The
purpose of this report is to enable the Central City Parking Restrictions
Committee to make a decision on the proposed temporary carriageway improvements
and temporary parking changes planned for Cashel Street (East), between
Barbadoes and Fitzgerald Avenue.
1.2 The
decisions in this report are of low significance in relation to the
Christchurch City Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. The level
of significance was determined by the light-touch, temporary nature of the
project and low cost.
2. Officer Recommendations Ngā
Tūtohu
That the Central
City Parking Restrictions Committee:
1. Receives the information in the Cashel Street
(East) Temporary Improvements and Parking Changes Report.
2. Revokes any previous resolutions pertaining to
traffic controls made pursuant to any bylaw to the extent that they are in conflict with the parking or
stopping restrictions described in resolutions 3 to 7 below.
3. Approves the removal of two unmarked car park
spaces on the south side of Cashel Street commencing at a point 42 metres west
of its intersection with Clarkson Avenue and extending in a westerly direction
for 11 metres as detailed on plan
TG148801, dated 30/07/2024 and included in this report as Attachment A.
4. Approves the placement of five planter boxes
and one bike corral on Cashel Street between Barbadoes Street and Clarkson
Avenue as detailed on plan TG148801, dated 30/07/2024 and included in this
report as Attachment A.
5. Approves a restriction on the parking of
vehicles to a maximum period of 30 minutes on the south side of Cashel Street,
commencing at a point 12 metres west of its intersection with Clarkson Avenue
and extending in a westerly direction for a distance of 30 metres as detailed
on plan TG148801, dated 30/07/2024 and included in this report as Attachment A.
6. Approve that these resolutions take effect
when parking signage and/or road markings that evidence the restrictions
described in this staff report are in place (or removed in the case of
revocations).
3. Executive Summary Te Whakarāpopoto Matua
3.1 Temporary
improvements are proposed for Cashel Street (East) in response to community
feedback on the draft
South-East Central Neighbourhood Plan (SE Plan). Feedback was
gathered both in July 2023 and during formal consultation on the draft Plan
during March 2024.
3.2 Feedback
for locations of high activity on Cashel St (East) specifically requested
greening, seating, bike parking and a change in parking limits for three
carparks.
3.3 A
Concept Plan for this location was developed in response to this feedback, as
part of the Enliven Places Programme (Attachment A). The Concept
Plan includes a variety of elements, several of which are not the subject of
this report – e.g. a mural which has recently been delivered. [These additional temporary improvements proposed for footpaths,
which are outside the delegations of the Central City Parking
Restrictions Committee, are included in Attachment A for information.]
3.4 Targeted
engagement on the carriageway components was completed June 2024. The
carriageway components comprise an addition of five planter boxes and a bespoke
bike corral, removal of two P60 carparks to accommodate the new planter boxes
and bike corral, and reduction of parking limit to three P30 carparks.
3.5 80%
of affected businesses were in support of the proposed Concept Plan, 10%
against and 10% neutral.
3.6 Delegated
authority for the removal of carparks within this area of the Central City sits
with the Central City Parking Restrictions Committee.
3.7 The
project is anticipated to be completed by 30 November 2024 and is intended to
remain in place for two years. This can be extended if there is continued
community benefit; this will be confirmed via engagement with businesses in
2026. If there is not continued support for the project, staff will
progress with revoking the parking changes or otherwise give effect to views of
immediate stakeholders at that time.
3.8 The
temporary improvements will be fully funded, delivered and maintained by the
Council’s Enliven Places Capital Programme. The Programme’s budget
was reconfirmed in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan.
4. Background/Context Te Horopaki
4.1 Cashel
Street between Barbadoes Street and Fitzgerald Ave is commercial and industrial
and is home to businesses and community service organisations. The area is
transitioning with increasing new residential development but has limited
amenity, with low tree canopy cover (averaging 2.9% rather than the 15% sought
across each ward by the Council
tree policy), limited access to
green space and little to no public seating or cycle parking.
4.2 The
draft SE Plan identifies a future north-south green link intersecting Cashel
Street at the Clarkson Ave intersection. Creating an identified node at this
point supports intended future movement initiatives. The draft SE Plan has received community board endorsement and will
be considered by the Council on 21 August. A verbal update on the status
of the plan will be provided at the committee meeting. The Enliven Places
Capital Programme (the Programme) will trial and test
the community visioning and aspirations as outlined in the SE Plan by
delivering temporary improvements and activation in the public realm.
4.3 Youth
and Cultural Development, Elim Church and Tagata Moana are all located within
this area and have co-designed the temporary improvement project for the Cashel
/ Clarkson intersection. Affected businesses were consulted on the proposed
plans via targeted engagement.
4.4 The
proposal to place planter boxes within the carriageway rather than the footpath
reflects the intent to install planters large enough to accommodate a
good-sized tree (supporting increased canopy cover); this size of planter would
take up too much space on the footpath. The plan has been designed to
keep footpaths clear for pedestrians to walk and sit and enables the planters
to be positioned out of the way of car doors opening. Locating the
planter boxes within the carriageway and against the kerb also enables better
sight lines to the new trees, improving visual impact. While five planter
boxes are proposed, only two of these require parking space removal as the
others can be accommodated within the carriageway without impacting parking
capacity. The specific locations within the carriageway were chosen to minimise
the loss of carparks; where carpark removal is needed, this is adjacent to a
business that has agreed the proposed Concept Plan.
4.5 A parking survey was undertaken between Thursday 4 April and Sunday
7 April 2024. This indicated the average parking occupancy rate for the focus
area was 56% occupancy during weekdays and 35% at the weekend. Although the
area reached 100% capacity at 1pm on weekdays and between 11-11:30am on
weekends, this only lasted half an hour, quickly dropping back to 73% and 45%
respectively. Many affected businesses also have dedicated off-street parking.
A summary of the on-street car parking occupancy analysis can be found in
Attachment B and community views are set out in para 6.9 below.
Given the survey findings, there is unlikely to be adverse impact for nearby
businesses through the loss of two carparks[1].
Options Considered Ngā Kōwhiringa Whaiwhakaaro
4.6 The
following reasonably practicable options were considered and are assessed in
this report:
· Option 1 – Approve all temporary public realm improvements to the
carriageway as per the Concept Plan (Attachment A) – Preferred
Option
· Option 2 – Do nothing
Options Descriptions Ngā Kōwhiringa
4.7 Option
1 – Preferred Option: Approve all temporary public realm
improvements to the carriageway as per the Concept Plan (Attachment A)
4.7.1 Option
Advantages
· Responds to community requests and reflects the positive
feedback from the majority of community members, who endorse the temporary
improvements plan.
· Creates a more
attractive environment to encourage more people to want to live and visit the
area, including addressing Council
tree policy for canopy cover.
· Acts as
traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, giving
effect to cycling-related Level of Service.
· Budget available to provide immediate temporary upgrades, via the
trial and test methodology of the Enliven Places Programme, noting Cashel
Street is not currently identified for transport improvements in the LTP and is
not included in the Te Kaha Street upgrade package.
· Enables early commencement of delivery on the SE
Plan.
4.7.2 Option
Disadvantages
· Removes two
parking spaces and reduces the time restriction limit of three carparks to P30,
which will change overall capacity and carparking functions for local
businesses.
· Doesn’t
respond to minority of community members who raised concerns about carparking
removal.
· Has a project
cost (within an allocated budget).
4.8 Option
2 – Do nothing
4.8.1
Option Advantages
· Current
carparking function and time restrictions of street remain as is, which
responds to minority of community members who raised concerns about carparking
removal.
· No further
cost implications.
4.8.2
Option Disadvantages
· Would not
respond to the initial requests for action received during the SE Plan
consultation, or the 80% of respondents who support the proposed Concept Plan
for this location.
· Does not
provide temporary improvements Cashel Street for residents and visitors,
including not addressing the Council
tree policy for canopy cover.
· Does not
create traffic calming measures on 50km/h road as part of improving
cycling-related Level of Services.
· Would not take
advantage of the only current budget available to improve the environment in
this location.
· Does not
enable early commencement of SE Plan implementation.
5. Financial Implications Ngā Hīraunga Rauemi
Capex/Opex Ngā Utu Whakahaere
|
|
Recommended Option
1
|
Option 2
|
|
Cost to implement carriageway
improvements
|
$30,000
|
$11,000 (sunk costs across the broader
project)
|
|
Maintenance/Ongoing Costs
|
$3,000
|
$0
|
|
Funding Source
|
Enliven Places Programme capital and
operational budgets.
|
6. Considerations Ngā Whai Whakaaro
Risks and Mitigations Ngā Mōrearea me
ngā Whakamātautau
6.1 Risk:
transport changes
6.1.1 Removal
of two P60 carparks for planter boxes and change of three carpark spaces from
P60 to P30 may increase pressure on parking availability and adversely affect
local business operations if customers can’t access parking nearby.
6.2 Mitigation
6.2.1 Parking occupancy audits – results summarised in 4.5 and
Attachment B support the conclusion that removing two carparks will have
minimal adverse effects on the area. The addition of cycle stands as requested
by a local business intends to help balance the loss of carparks.
6.2.2 Community engagement and feedback – these plans have been
developed and informed by the community to ensure positive outcomes with the
majority supportive. The plan has been designed to minimise the loss of
parking. Although two businesses expressed concerns about the loss of parking,
the proposed car park removal is outside Nifty, which is supportive of the
plan. The concerned businesses both retain on-street car park spaces
outside their business (one being located opposite the carpark removal and the
other being outside the directly impacted focus area to the west).
Legal Considerations Ngā Hīraunga
ā-Ture
6.3 Statutory
and/or delegated authority to undertake proposals in the report:
6.3.1 This
project will be delivered as part of Council services under the Local
Government Act.
6.4 Other Legal Implications:
6.4.1 There
is no legal context, issue, or implication relevant to this decision.
Strategy
and Policy Considerations Te
Whai Kaupapa here
6.5 The
required decisions are consistent with the Council’s Plans and Policies,
including:
6.5.1 Aligns
with the Christchurch
City Council’s Strategic Framework with particular emphasis on the
Council’s Central City Action Plan, Te Haumako Te Whitingia Strengthening
Communities Together Strategy, Christchurch Urban Forest Plan and draft
Christchurch Transport Plan.
6.5.2 Supports
the Central
City Parking Policy which seeks to promote over 85% (international good
practice) occupancy of parking spaces regularly in the Central City at peak
times. Policy 4 recommends introducing stricter time limits in these instances
and Policy 9 encourages the provision of parking for sustainable alternatives
including bicycles.
6.5.3 Responds
to The
Urban Forest Plan that sets
out guidance to grow the city’s tree canopy cover to have no ward with
less than 15%, in part by increasing planting on streets. Cashel Street (East)
has 2.9% canopy coverage (2018-19 data).
6.5.4 Are
assessed as low significance based on the Christchurch City
Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. The level of
significance was determined by the light-touch, temporary nature of the project
and low cost.:
6.5.5 Strategic Planning and Policy
6.5.6 Activity: City Growth and Property
· Level of Service: 17.0.20.3 Deliver small scale temporary
and permanent capital projects to support city identity, community leadership
and placemaking - 100% of capital projects align with Urban Regeneration
Capital
6.5.7 Transport
6.5.8 Activity: Transport
· Level
of Service: 10.5.2 Improve the perception (resident satisfaction) that
Christchurch is a cycling friendly city - >=67%
· Level
of Service: 10.5.39 Increase the numbers of people cycling in the central city
- >=2,000 cyclists
Community
Impacts and Views Ngā Mariu ā-Hāpori
6.6 The decision affects the following wards/Community Board areas:
Waipapa Papanui-Innes Central Community Board.
6.6.1 A
memo to the Community Board was circulated June 2024, inviting any feedback.
The Community Board did not request any changes to
the proposed plans.
6.7 Targeted engagement with affected businesses (20
businesses) garnered majority (80%) support for the temporary improvements,
including comments around appreciation for Council energy focused on the area
to green, brighten and beautify, making it a nicer place to be. Comment also
included appreciation for public bike parking as currently there is none
in the area.
6.8 There was 10% neutral feedback from targeted engagement,
and 10% against the temporary improvements. Concerns included the loss of two
carparks and that a change of three carparks to P30 may affect business, as
there is increasing pressure on parking from the new residential
development. Staff feedback to these concerns (refer also 6.2.2 above):
6.8.1 The light-touch temporary project is designed to minimise carparking
loss to two carparks, temporarily, and in a location specified by the
adjacent (supportive) business.
6.8.2 The
P30 time restriction change will provide varied
carparking time restrictions, encouraging turnover for the nearby business that
specifically requested this change.
Impact
on Mana Whenua Ngā
Whai Take Mana Whenua
6.9 The
decisions do not involve a significant decision in
relation to ancestral land or a body of water or other elements of intrinsic
value, therefore this decision does not specifically
impact Mana Whenua, their culture, and traditions.
6.10 The decisions do not involve a matter of interest to Mana Whenua and will not impact on our agreed partnership priorities
with Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga.
Climate
Change Impact Considerations Ngā Whai Whakaaro mā te Āhuarangi
6.11 The
decisions in this report are likely to:
6.11.1 Contribute
positively to adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
6.11.2 Contribute
positively to emissions reductions.
6.12 Well-functioning,
compact centres with increased density support a reduction in travel emissions;
this is a key element in reducing our vulnerability to the impacts of climate
change. Identifying mechanisms to better support a mix of land use activities
in denser urban environments is a step to support and improve Ōtautahi’s
resilience. Providing cycle stands and greening will
enhance amenity in the area, which may incentivise people to use more climate
friendly transport modes like biking or walking while contributing to improved
canopy cover and carbon sequestration.
7. Next Steps Ngā Mahinga ā-muri
7.1 Delivery
– anticipated to be completed by 30 November 2024.
7.2 Pro-active
maintenance of assets.
Attachments Ngā Tāpirihanga
|
No.
|
Title
|
Reference
|
Page
|
|
a ⇩
|
Cashel Street
Temporary Improvement Plans
|
24/1188104
|
22
|
|
b ⇩
|
Cashel Street
Parking Occupancy Results
|
24/1296425
|
23
|
In addition to the attached documents, the following background
information is available:
|
Document
Name – Location / File Link
|
|
Not
applicable
|
Signatories Ngā Kaiwaitohu
|
Authors
|
Natalie
O'Connell - Assistant Planner Urban Regeneration
Brindi Joy -
Place Partnerships & Projects Advisor
Sally-Ann
Marshall - Traffic Engineer
|
|
Approved By
|
Carolyn Bonis
- Team Leader Urban Regeneration
Bruce Rendall
- Head of Facilities & Property
Brent Smith -
Acting General Manager City Infrastructure
|
