On the agenda
Elected members will be updated this week on Council’s regulatory approach to non-tourist accommodation activities where use has potentially changed without correct authorisation and/or in contravention of the District Plan.
The organisation is following a regulatory approach under both the Building Act and Resource Management Act (District Plan) to ensure safe building practices and appropriate land use, a report prepared for Thursday’s Council meeting notes.
Council is continuing with a District Plan and a Building Act regulatory process with the operators/owners of motels offering accommodation, other than tourism, to ensure safe building practices and suitable land use.
In January 2022, Council sought a determination from The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) relating to one motel to provide a definitive answer as to whether the use of this motel for emergency housing constituted a ‘change of use’ under the Building Act in the absence of any case law that would provide clarity on this matter.
While the determination was to be fast tracked, a final determination has yet to be received, the report to Council says.
In May 2022, Council filed court applications seeking enforcement orders under the Resource Management Act against 9 tourist accommodation operators providing emergency housing, requiring compliance with the District Plan. This followed requests that these operators engage with Council to ensure that if they wanted to continue providing emergency housing they were compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements.
In June 2022, this action was withdrawn after the Environment Court was satisfied of suitable engagement by these motels.
Meanwhile, the consenting process for 13 motels that have been contracted by the Ministry of Housing and Development (MHUD) to provide emergency housing is underway. These motels are primarily intended for families and children. Decisions by the Independent Hearings Commissioners to grant or decline these applications may be made before the end of December 2022.
You’ll find the report on this matter on p14 of the Council meeting agenda
Also on the agenda
Community board appointments
Council will be asked to approve the appointment of Councillor Gregg Brown as the Council representative on the Rotorua Lakes Community Board and Councillor Karen Barker for the Rotorua Rural Community Board. See p11 of the meeting agenda
Confidential items
Rotorua Housing Accord, industrial land development and the contract for Maleme Road seal extension are on the agenda for discussion in confidence. See p26 of the meeting agenda