Christchurch City Council

CENTRAL CITY COMMITTEE

AGENDA

TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 1998

AT 4 PM

IN THE NO 2 COMMITTEE ROOM, CIVIC OFFICES

Committee:

Councillor Margaret Murray (Chairman), The Mayor, Ms Vicki Buck, Councillors Graham Berry, Anna Crighton, Newton Dodge, Morgan Fahey, Alister James, Charles Manning and Barbara Stewart.

 

Principal Adviser	Committee Secretary
John Dryden	Dennis Morgan
Telephone: 371-1652	Telephone: 371-1437
Fax: 371-1789	Fax: 371-1786

PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
PART B - REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
PART C - DELEGATED DECISIONS

INDEX

PART C	1.	APOLOGIES
PART B	2.	DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT
PART A	3.	PROPOSED FOOTPATH EXTENSIONS TO EXPAND CAFES ONTO THE ROADWAY	RR 7009
PART A	4.	STEWART FOUNTAIN UPDATE	RR 7014
PART A	5.	STEWART FOUNTAIN - TENDER APPROVAL	RR 7055
PART A	6.	CENTRAL CITY ELECTRIC SHUTTLE	RR 7034
PART B	7.	1997/98 ROADING PROGRAMME	RR 6997
PART A	8.	OXFORD TERRACE: TRAFFIC CONTROLS	RR 7005
PART B	9.	CATHEDRAL SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT MONTHLY REPORT	RR 7066

1. APOLOGIES

 

2. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT

CENTRAL CITY CRIME

Aileen Davies is in attendance at today's meeting. A reported increase in break-ins to tourists' vehicles in the Central City has raised concerns about the image tourists may have of the City.

3.

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 cafe or licensed premises it is recommended that the following matters should be considered to determine if a particular application is appropriate:

1. The site not being on an arterial road.
2. That there be no stopping, taxi stands, or short term parking restrictions at the site.
3. It should be directly related to the activity carried out in the adjacent building.
4. There is no conflict with the immediate neighbouring land uses or with the historical character of the building or area.
5. That the site is suitable climatically (has a northerly or westerly orientation).
6. That there will be no interference with the safe movement of pedestrians.
7. The development is not one that would detract from the immediate streetscape of that section of road.
8. The building associated with the extension has appropriate facilities including toilets to handle the increased ability to cater for the extra customers.
9. A bond be paid to allow for the future removal of the extension.
10. The rental be based on a market value of each square metre and paid on a quarterly bases in advance.
11. The works associated with the extension be designed to meet the requirement of the City Streets Unit.
12. If a liquor license is to be issued then the Council reserves the right the right to withdraw the license to occupy road space on the basis of non compliance of the conditions. This power be delegated to either the Environmental Services or City Streets Manager.
13. The conditions of the license will vary according to the size, the sale of liquor and location.
14. Construction costs met by the owner, unless incorporated as part of an approved Council project.

Recommendation:	That the Central City Committee adopt the above criteria to allow for parts of the roadway to be used for outdoor seating in association with activities within adjoining buildings subject to the conditions set out above.
Chairman's Recommendation:	That the officer's recommendation be adopted.

 

4. 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 issues on 9 February received the following report:

"The options are as follows:

City Streets as source

The two options are:

The consequence of Option 1, besides the complete forfeiture of 'Central City East Projects' and 'City Approaches' is that the intended upgrading of Worcester Street would be significantly compromised.

Option 2 would defer the entire project for Worcester Street to a future financial year.

Parks as the Source (Partial Funding)

Redevelopment of Latimer Square
1997/98 Budget	$65,000
1998/99 Budget	$50,000
Total	$115,000

$115,000 does not satisfy the fountain's requirement of $150,000 but it is the best the Parks Unit can do. The Council may wish to consider distributing the costs over two Units.

Both City Streets and the Parks Unit accept that the Latimer Square project is unlikely to proceed this year, because there are a number of issues that need more investigation, such as those that might affect public transport.

Timing

The most favourable scenario with regard to the timing of this project would see construction begin sometime in March this year. This would satisfy the expectations of the local retailers who for the most part see the period from March through winter as their slow time. If we are unable to commence construction in March (or April at the latest) then the project may be delayed a further 12 months due to difficulties with construction during the wetter seasons and the busy retail season coming around again in spring. I would be very reluctant to risk the inevitable backlash by recommending that construction is performed over the busy retail time. A delay of 12 months would frustrate the process considerably.

All going well, if we are able to secure the extra required funds then the earliest notification of this fact is imperative so we may commence construction in March.

In conclusion I wish to reiterate that since the plans are complete and all consents have been issued, we are able to commence the acceptance of the tender and subsequently begin construction once the extra funds have been secured."

The meeting of the Committee on 9 February resolved to recommend Option 2 to the Council deferring the Worcester Street (Manchester to Latimer Square) project to 1999/2000.

As a consequence it is resolved also to recommend that the Kilmore Street (Colombo Street to Durham Street) Project scheduled for 1999/2000 be deferred to 2000/01.

Recommendation:	That the Committee decides on an option.
Chairman's Recommendation:	That the above Option 2 for additional funding for the Stewart Fountain be recommended to the Council.

 

5. STEWART FOUNTAIN - TENDER APPROVAL RR 7055

Officer responsible	Author
City Design Manager	Project Manager, John de Zwart
Corporate Plan Output: Major Amenity Projects 1996 page 9.5.52

The purpose of this report is to obtain Committee approval for acceptance of a tender which is above the $300,000 authority delegated to Council Officers.

The contract is for the redevelopment of the Stewart Fountain.

After negotiations with lowest price tenderer (Bushnell Builders) and fountain designers (establish bottom line for design by deleting items whilst still maintaining design integrity) the cost to complete the work has been reduced to $628,033.

The recommendation from the Central City Committee meeting of 27 November 1997 was:

'That the development of the Stewart Fountain site with the three towers included in the design be supported subject to a further report to the December meeting of the Council providing recommendations of Sources of Funds to cover the increased cost of the project.'

The Council meeting in December referred the matter back to the Committee.

As discussed in previous meetings, a shortfall of $150,000 still remains between budget available and tender price.

Recommendation:	That the lowest price conforming tender of $628,053 be accepted on the condition that the Council meeting 25 February 1998 approves the reallocation of the required $150,000.
Chairman's Recommendation:	That the recommendation be adopted.

 

6. 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:

1. Fleet/Infrastructure Livery - CTL are preparing proposals for livery of both the vehicles, associated infrastructure and other service features (such as timetables). The proposals will be brought to this Committee as soon as they are available. It is proposed that external advertising on the shuttle will be limited.
   
   
2. Promotion/Advertising - A working party between CTL and Council staff will be established to work through the issues, initially with a particular focus on the lead-in period and the actual service launch.
   
   
3. Infrastructure Provision - Details of the required infrastructure such as bus stops and shelter provision will be reported back to this Committee next month.

Recommendation:	That the CTL proposal (adjusted to an annual contract price of $450,000 for a 5 year contract based on CTL retaining the advertising revenue) be accepted. That the service be free of charge. That the service commence by 1 September 1998.
Chairman's Recommendation:	For discussion.

 

7. 1997/98 ROADING PROGRAMME RR 6997

Officer responsible	Author
City Streets Manager	Murray Angus
Corporate Plan Output: Capital Expenditure

The purpose of this report is to provide Committee members with an update of progress for City Streets projects in the Central City Committee area which are programmed for the 1997/98 financial year.

Chairman's Recommendation: That the information be received.

 

8. OXFORD TERRACE: TRAFFIC CONTROLS RR 7005

Officer responsible	Author
City Streets Manager	Peter Atkinson, Area Engineer
Corporate Plan Output: Infrastructural Asset Improvements pg 9.5.61

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to advise of progress on the redevelopment of Oxford Terrace between Lichfield Street and Hereford Street and to adopt the proposed traffic controls for this project.

BACKGROUND

The construction of this project has been delayed as the estimate for this project has significantly exceeded the budget provision of $255,000. Tenders were to have been considered in February. However, this will be reassessed after the 6 month budget review in March where additional funding will be sought. This will bring the total cost of the project to $500,000, consisting of $440,000 physical works and $60,000 professional service fees. The physical works include an additional cost which was 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 improvement 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.

Recommendation:	That the existing no stopping, bus stop, P60, motor cycle and loading zone parking restrictions between Hereford Street and Lichfield Street be deleted. That a no stopping at all times parking restriction be installed on the western side of Oxford Terrace commencing at a point opposite the southern kerbline of Hereford Street and extending in a southerly direction for a distance of 135 metres. That a no stopping at all times parking restriction be installed on the eastern side of Oxford Terrace commencing at a point opposite the southern kerbline of Hereford Street and extending in a southerly direction for a distance of 132 metres. That a no stopping at all times parking restriction be installed on the western side of Oxford Terrace commencing at a point opposite the northern kerbline of Lichfield Street and extending in a northerly direction for a distance of 28 metres. That a taxi stand be created on the eastern side of Oxford Terrace commencing at a point 46 metres measured in a northerly direction from a point opposite the northern kerbline at Lichfield Street and extending in a northerly direction for a distance of 53 metres. That a no stopping at all times parking restriction be installed on the eastern side of Oxford Terrace commencing at a point opposite the northern kerbline of Lichfield Street and extending in a northerly direction for a distance of 30 metres. That an angled parking area with a time limit of 60 minutes be created on the western side of Oxford Terrace commencing at a point 28 metres measured in a northerly direction from a point opposite the northern kerbline of Lichfield Street and extending in a northerly direction for a distance of 47 metres. That a loading zone with a time limit of 5minutes at all times be created on the eastern side of Oxford Terrace commencing at a point 28 metres measured in a northerly direction from a point opposite the southern kerbline of Hereford Street and extending in a southerly direction for a distance of 12 metres. That the footpath on the western side of Oxford Terrace between Hereford Street and Lichfield Street be jointly used by pedestrians and cyclists. That the left turn from Hereford Street into Cambridge Terrace be free of the traffic signal control and controlled by a Give Way sign. That an additional $250,000 be sought at the six months review to enable the project to proceed to tender and that other options to finance the project be explored.
Chairman's Recommendation:	That the officer's recommendation be adopted.

 

 

9. CATHEDRAL SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT MONTHLY REPORT RR 7066

Officer responsible	Author
Major Projects Co-ordinator	Andrew Robinson
Corporate Plan Output: Corporate Plan, Volume 3, Capital Output 9.5.61

The purpose of this report is to bring members of the Central City Committee up to date on progress on the Cathedral Square Redevelopment Project.

REPORTING PERIOD ENDING 9 FEBRUARY 1998
PROJECT PHASE: CONSTRUCTION:

1. General

The construction start date has been delayed by one week due to new planning issues being raised following the adjournment of the Hearing for the bus shelters consent under the Resource Management Act. These new planning issues could not have been reasonably foreseen.

Construction commenced on site in the Colombo Street sections leading into the Square on 9 February 1998 to avoid delays to the contractor. These areas were not originally where work was scheduled to begin, but to ensure that the original project timelines are met and delays to the contractor are avoided, a decision was made to start work, allowing time to resolve the outstanding planning issues.

Project completion is expected, as originally programmed, by October 1999.

There are still some outstanding planning issues to be resolved.

An informal Councillors briefing was held on 16 January 1998 to familiarise Councillors with some of the planning issues that have arisen and to seek comment/input on a suggested way forward. Three options were considered to progress the project. The preferred option is to amend the current application for bus shelters and Stages 1-3 works, leading to resource consents being granted by mid March and work commencing on Stage 1, as originally intended, thereafter.

Newsletters and flyers have been issued from time to time to keep Councillors and the public informed of key events.

2. Outstanding issues

Resource consents for the bus shelters and the Stages 1-3 works are required. These are expected to be granted by mid March 1998.

Police kiosk - Report March 1998.

3. Approvals required

No approvals sought.

4. Programme

Construction work has commenced one week later than programmed due to unresolved planning issues. Project completion is still expected by October 1999, as originally intended.

5. Cost control

The monthly financial summary report is attached. The total contingency is $261,381 as at 9 February 1998.

Chairman's Recommendation: That the above information be received.