Private district plan change to pave the way for 20 extra spaces in the Alexandra New World car park has been approved by the Central Otago District Council.
The council has agreed to rezone two properties that border the supermarket, on Kenmare St, from residential resource area to business resource area.
Two submissions were received, one in support and one opposed.
The New Zealand Transport Agency supported the change, as the rezoning would reduce parking demand on the state highway network. A neighbour of the residential properties, Christine Dey, opposed it. She said New World staff parked on the side streets, adding to congestion, and suggested some of the new car parks should be designated for staff.
Foodstuffs South Island Ltd sought the plan change. It owned the two residential properties concerned, which were bought with the intention of extending the car park. The houses on the properties are rented.
Council planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said the council believed the positive effects of the plan change would outweigh any adverse effects.
The change would reduce congestion in the car park and reduce pressure for customer parking on neighbouring roads, she said.
There were only 79 spaces in the existing car park and, under the provisions of the district plan, 125 parking spaces should be provided.
At the hearing a fortnight ago, Cr Terry Emmitt asked Alexandra New World owner/operator Kevin Ryan if the car park would be extended further in the future to meet those obligations.
"I'd love to have another 25 car parks on top of that," Mr Ryan said.
However, the proposed Pak'n Save supermarket planned by Foodstuffs for Frankton would affect the turnover at all other Central Otago supermarkets, he believed.
The Environment Court's decision to grant consent for the $30 million Pak'n Save supermarket has been appealed.
Foodstuffs South Island Ltd property development manager Rebecca Parish told the hearing the desired "safe and efficient car park" at Alexandra New World was compromised by the lack of space for customers to park and delivery vehicles to circulate.
Woolworths Australia planned to develop a Countdown Supermarket at Frankton and that store and the proposed Pak'n Save store would have an economic impact on the Alexandra New World, she said.
"Balancing the various factors, Foodstuffs feel it is appropriate to establish this additional car parking to ensure customers continue to be loyal to the New World as a convenient local shopping experience."
