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25. 2. 98
CENTRAL CITY COMMITTEE
17 FEBRUARY 1998
A meeting of the Central City Committee
was held on Tuesday 17 February 1998 at 4 pm
| PRESENT: | Councillor Margaret Murray (Chairman), The Mayor, Councillors Graham Berry, Newton Dodge, Morgan Fahey and Barbara Stewart. |
| APOLOGIES: | Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillors Anna Crighton, Alister James and Charles Manning. |
The Committee reports that:
PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
| 1. | PROPOSED FOOTPATH EXTENSIONS TO EXPAND CAFES ONTO THE ROADWAY | RR 7009 |
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Streets Manager | Peter Atkinson |
| Corporate Plan Output: Customer Services | |
The purpose of this report is to establish a set of criteria to deal with applications to use part of the road carriageway for extensions to the footpath permitting additional outdoor tables and seating in conjunction with open air cafes. A number of applications have been or are about to be received and it is desirable that these applications are treated in a similar manner.
INTRODUCTION
A continuing development in the character of the Central City has been the expansion of outdoor dining areas on the footpath. This development started in the City Mall and has extended to Colombo Street ,Oxford Terrace, High Street, Cathedral Square and Hereford Street as businesses have sought to take advantage of the good weather patterns in the City. The scale of these activities ranges from a single table and two chairs to over twenty tables and chairs. The activity on the pavement is generally proportional to the amount of available footpath area.
With the exception of Oxford Terrace, High Street and Colombo Street the width of most of the footpaths, in the areas being used, is approximately 3 metres. In some locations there is additional width in the footpath as a result of the building being set back from the property boundary.
In general a 2 metre wide path is required for the free movement of pedestrians and this leaves limited room for the placement of tables and chairs. The most practical way to extend the area is to use part of the carriageway. In most situations the extension will utilise that part of the road carriageway which is used for parking.
In considering these applications the following matters are to be considered:
The function of the footpath
The function of the adjacent roadway
The character of the street
Footpath surfacing
Property zoning
The loss of on street parking
Road safety
The loss of income from parking meters
The cost of new construction
Liquor licensing
Removal costs with changes to the building activity
Resource consent matters
Charges for use of the area
Enforcement and monitoring
Toilet and other facilities
Hours of use
THE STREET SCENE
Streets within the city serve a wide range of functions. While many of the streets serve a local traffic function there are those that act as major traffic corridors. The traffic conditions on the major routes may not provide an environment suitable for outdoor seating because of the speed and volume of traffic. Similar comments will also apply to footpaths. Pedestrians are likely to be inconvenienced by the introduction of outdoor seating areas and disabled persons can experience problems with abrupt changes to their path.
The orientation of the street plays an important part in the consideration of suitable sites. Those which face to the north and west are favoured because of the sunny orientation and shelter from the wind.
An important element in the street scene is the use of the adjacent kerb space. Some uses are more important than others, for example, if the adjacent kerb space is used as a traffic lane there is no opportunity to extend the kerb line. Other activities that fall into this category include bus stops, taxis stands, loading zone and short term parking areas. This generally leaves only the longer term parking areas as being suitable to permit an extension. Typically in the central area these locations are controlled by parking meters.
The visual impact that the kerb extension has on the character of the street, its influence on adjacent land uses and the type of footpath surface, are also matters that require careful consideration. A kerb extension on a continuous street without any other features can appear out of character with the street appearance. For example, a cafe isolated in the middle of a bulk retail store or a motor vehicle type of business. A number of the footpaths in the inner city are planned to have a coordinated surface treatment. This differs according to the type of street. In order to avoid a patch work quilt appearance to the street any proposed kerb extensions would be required to have a similar surface treatment to the adjoining footpath.
SAFETY ISSUES
In considering extensions to the kerb there are road safety implications to be taken into account. These not only include obstructions to pedestrians on the footpath but also the safety to other road users such as cyclists running into the extensions and vehicles colliding with umbrellas. Public liability and Health and Safety matters all need to be identified and taken into account.
COSTS
There are a number of costs that need to be identified if the Council is to approve this type of activity on the street. These costs include the following:
The cost of the physical works associated with the kerb
extension.
The loss of income from metered parking spaces.
The cost of the use of the footpath area.
A bond for the removal of the kerb extension if the business
closes.
Public liability insurance.
The added value to the property.
Health and safety.
Increased maintenance costs as a result of additional cleaning.
The cost of physical works will vary from $5,000 to over $30,000 depending on the area, type of surface and drainage requirements. The normal cost to hire a parking space is presently $220 (inc GST) per month, although the actual loss of income from a metered space is less than this. A typical kerb extension would cover two parking spaces. The present hire of footpath area is dependant upon size and currently ranges from $10 per square metre to $20 per square metre (inc GST). There are questions of whether the rental should include both the parking cost and a rental, whether there is a separate winter or summer charge and if additional cleaning costs are also included.
Other considerations include whether a bond is included to cover reinstatement of the kerb if the business ceases to exist.
AVAILABLE OPTIONS
There are three options to consider:
Do not allow any kerb extensions for out door seating.
Permit all applications for kerb extensions for out door seating.
Permit all applications for kerb extensions for outdoor seating
that meet selected criteria.
COMMENT
The Council has already allowed two kerb extensions to be use for cafes and other purposes. These include:
The proposed extension on the corner of Manchester Street and Bedford Row. This is a special case to encourage new residential development in the inner city, in a street, which is a local road with a northerly aspect and with readily available parking in a nearby parking building and while the use is isolated, it is compatible with the proposed residential activity.
The temporary extension to 136 Oxford Terrace. This was an interim measure to widen the footpath due to the delay with the Oxford Terrace development. Oxford Terrace is a local road, the site has a north westerly aspect and the use is compatible with the activities adjacent to it.
CONCLUSION
The first matter to consider is why tables and chairs cannot be placed within the property itself. The second matter would be to consider whether they could be located on footpaths directly adjoining the premises. Only then if these are not practical or desirable then consideration can be given to the use of the roadway.
In considering any requests to extend the kerb alignment for the purposes of tables and seating in association with a cafÈ or licensed premises it is recommended that the following matters should be considered to determine if a particular application is appropriate:
The Committee when considering the report of the Area Traffic Engineer (Central) was of the view that the matters listed above {(i) to (xiv)} may be regarded as a set of criteria and become rigidly enforced when a less restrictive approach was sought. The issues listed were to be taken into account by officers.
| Recommendation: |
|
| Chairman's Recommendation: | That the officer's recommendation be adopted. |
2. STEWART FOUNTAIN UPDATE RR 7014
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Design Manager | John de Zwart, Project Manager Andrew Craig, Landscape Architect |
| Corporate Plan Output: Major Amenity Projects 1996, page 9.5.52 | |
The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the Stewart Fountain project.
At its November meeting last year the Central City Committee resolved to support the current Stewart Fountain design provided the extra funding needed to implement it could be found. The Council meeting on 17 December referred the Committee's report back to this meeting for a further report on sources of funds.
After discussions with City Streets and Parks Units a number of options have been identified where Central City projects could be deferred and so release funding for the Stewart Fountain project.
The Committee when considering the Annual Plan at its meeting on 9 February received a report outlining options available and resolved to defer the Worcester Street (Manchester Street to Latimer Square) Project from 1998/99 to 2000/01. This would release $150,000 to meet a shortfall in the budgeted provision for the Fountain and will coincide with the provision for works in Latimer Square.
As a consequence to maintain capital smoothing it was recommended that Kilmore Street (Colombo Street to Durham Street) currently scheduled for 2000/01 be deferred to 2001/02 for capital smoothing purposes.
The Committee meeting on 17 February confirmed this deferment of projects as the preferred funding option for the Fountain to ensure work commences in March this year.
The Project Manager reported further to the meeting on 17 February that after negotiations with the lowest price tenderer (Bushnell Builders) and fountain designers (establish a bottom line for design by deleting items whilst still maintaining design integrity) the cost to complete the work had been reduced to $628,033.
The tender price does not include the three spires included in the design which will require additional funding of $18,000. The Committee is investigating options for the additional funds to allow the spires to be included. The Committee resolved to accept the lowest conforming tender of $628,033 on condition that the Council approves the reallocation of projects at the meeting on 25 February.
| Recommendation: | That the Council approves the reallocation of projects as outlined above to provide the required $150,000 to enable the project to commence in March 1998 (ie that the Worcester Street (Manchester Street to Latimer Square) Project be deferred to 2000/2001 and that the Kilmore Street (Colombo Street to Durham Street) Project be deferred to 2001/02). |
3. CENTRAL CITY ELECTRIC SHUTTLE RR 7034
| Officer responsible | Author |
| City Streets Manager and Environmental Policy and Planning Manager | Stuart Woods and George Hadley |
| Corporate Plan Output: Commercial Activities pg 9.5.16 | |
The purpose of this report is to recommend acceptance of a tender arising from the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Central City Electric Shuttle.
PROPOSAL
Only one company, Christchurch Transport Limited (CTL), submitted a proposal for the provision of the central city electric shuttle service, although ten companies were provided with the RFP documentation.
CTL have submitted an annual contract price for providing the service of $471,300 based on a 5 year contract with increased annual contract prices for reduced contract periods as detailed below.
| Contract Period | ||||
| Annual Contract | 2 Years | 3 Years | 4 Years | 5 Years |
| Price | $594,300 | $523,400 | $494,100 | $471,300 |
These figures are a gross cost and do not recognise revenue figures.
The Council budget for this project is $450,000 pa (net) over 5 years.
FARES
The contract price provided by CTL has no allowance for fare collection. CTL consider that if a fare was to be charged the patronage of the service would be reduced and also the time spent in collecting fares would potentially compromise the proposed timetable of the service dependent upon the fare collection methodology. For example on CTL's current tendered services for the Canterbury Regional Council up to 30% of the total travel time can be taken up by ticketing services.
NEGOTIATIONS
Following receipt of the CTL proposal on 30 January 1998 discussions between the Chief Executive and Financial Controller of CTL and Council staff were undertaken.
The annual contract price proposed by CTL is based on the City Council recovering all revenues in connection with the service. CTL have proposed that based on a 5 year contract period they can reduce the annual contract price to $450,000 if they were responsible for negotiating and retaining the advertising revenue.
This proposal does have merit in that CTL have the expertise in obtaining advertising for bus services and the reduced contract price falls to the current Council budget.
TIMETABLE
It is proposed that the service will commence by 1 September 1998, as required by the RFP documents.
OTHER ISSUES
There are a number of other minor issues to be addressed:
| Chairman's Recommendation: |
|
PART B - REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
4. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT
CENTRAL CITY CRIME
Aileen Davies was in attendance at the meeting and discussed issues with the Committee relating to the increased break-ins to tourists' vehicles in the Central City. She expressed concerns about the image tourists may have of the city and asked that the Council assist by providing secure areas in the Central City where tourists may leave campervans and cars whilst visiting city attractions.
In discussion Mrs Davies referred to recent increases in registration fees for bed and breakfast establishments registering with the Canterbury Tourism Council and Information Centre. A fee of $200 had now been increased to $500.
In response to Mrs Davies submissions the Committee has requested that the Parking Operations Manager consider providing a secure area in the Central City for tourists to leave their vehicles.
The Committee has also sought clarification from the Canterbury Tourism Council of the reasons for the significant cost increase for home stay operators when the registration of their premises with the Information Centre.
5. 1997/98 ROADING PROGRAMME RR 6997
An update on progress for City Streets projects in the Central City was received.
6. CATHEDRAL SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT RR 7066
MONTHLY REPORT
The Committee received a progress report on the Cathedral Square Redevelopment Project.
PART C - REPORT ON DELEGATED DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE
7. OXFORD TERRACE: TRAFFIC CONTROLS RR 7005
The Committee received a report on the progress on the redevelopment of Oxford Terrace between Lichfield Street and Hereford Street. The construction of this project has been delayed as the estimate for this project has significantly exceeded the budget provision of $255,000. The total cost of the project is now $500,000 consisting of $440,000 physical works and $60,000 professional fees.
The physical works include an additional cost which is not budgeted at the start of the project. These additional works include modifications to the Cambridge/Hereford Street intersection, alteration to the Oxford/Lichfield/Durham Street intersection and improvements to the bus service. The anticipated change to the movement of buses, which presently travel in a south bound direction, will involve relocation to Cambridge Terrace in the week commencing 17 February.
The Commissioner has delivered his final decision on the Resource Consent to narrow the road carriageway and to lower the river bank. The decision approved the application subject to the footpath on the western side of the road being shared by cycles and pedestrians with other conditions relating to the use of the site during construction. At the hearing, the cycle steering group presented a submission to provide for cyclist to travel in a south bound direction. Of the two options considered, the joint use facility on the west side was the preferred option. The alternative was a purpose built path on the eastern side, which would have added to the cost and detracted from the pedestrian amenity of the seating area on that side of the road.
PROCEDURAL STEPS REQUIRED
In order for the project to be completed there are a number of procedural steps to be completed. These steps include:
The creation of a Bylaw to make this section one- way.
The formalising of the joint use of the footpath on the western side of this section of Oxford Terrace as a combined cycle/pedestrian path.
The formalising of the proposed no stopping parking restrictions.
The introduction of angle parking and a permanent taxi stand.
The Bylaw to make this section of Oxford Terrace one way is to pass through the second stage of the special order process at the March meeting of the full Council.
The proposed joint use footpath, which will be similar to many of the paths in City reserves, will link Hereford Street with Lichfield Street. In the section between Hereford Street and City Mall the path will be located away from the edge of the road and weave through the enlarged river bank reserve. The volume of both cyclists and pedestrians along the path is anticipated to be low, with little conflict.
The numbers of cyclists that are expected to use the new path are assessed at less than the number presently passing though the Mall.
Proposed changes to parking restrictions will include the removal of all the metered parking spaces between Hereford Street and City Mall, and the bus stop on the eastern side between City Mall and Lichfield Street. In their place it is proposed to put in a no stopping restriction and a taxi stand respectively. The P60 metered spaces adjacent to Friendship Reserve will be converted to angle parking spaces. The existing loading zone on the eastern side of Oxford Terrace is to remain. These restrictions have the support of the parties involved and the Parking Operations Manager.
Also associated with this project and changes to the intersection of Hereford Street and Cambridge Terrace. It is proposed to make some improvements for pedestrians and to traffic making a left turn into Cambridge Terrace, including provision of kerb extensions to shorten the crossing distance and a free left turn island.
Committee members sought comment from the City Streets Manager on substitutions which could be made to enable the work to proceed immediately. It was estimated that the section of the project between Cashel Street and Hereford Street would require funding of $350,000 and that the balance of the work on the adjacent intersections of Lichfield Street/Oxford Terrace and Hereford Street/Cambridge Terrace could be funded in 1998/99 financial year.
It was agreed that in the meantime tenders be sought for the Oxford Terrace (Cashel Street to Hereford Street) section of the project and that the City Streets Manager prepare recommendations to the Council Plan meeting including substitutions which would allow the remainder of the work to proceed.
The Committee resolved:
The meeting concluded at 5.35 pm.
CONSIDERED THIS 25TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 1998
MAYOR