CLG Minutes - 23 June 2021

Mt Eden Community Liaison Group Minutes

Meeting

Urban realm presentation to Mt Eden Community Liaison Group (CLG) and additional key stakeholders

Date

Wednesday 23 June 2021

Time

5.30pm – 7:00pm

Location

1 New North Road

Link Alliance/Project Team Attendees

Helga Sonier, Annie van der Plas, Annabelle Wrigley, Helen Jansen, Piet Ubels, Madison Sturt, Aaron Hutching, Simon Lough, Alan Whiteley, Rachel Blundell, Nicole Lawton, John Nottage (Auckland Transport).

CLG Member/Key Stakeholder Attendees

Brian Maccormack, Steve Wilson, Damaris Kingdon, Jamey Holloway, Mark Haines, Graeme Easte, Caleb Perry, Lynn Graja, Brent Kennedy, Megan Ottley, Meredith Dale.

Agenda: No.

Agenda Item

Presenter

1.

Meeting open

Helga Sonier

2.

Welcome and overview

Helga Sonier

3.

Mt Eden urban realm designs

Simon Lough/Alan Whiteley

4.

Q&A session

All Presenters

5.

Meeting close

Helga Sonier

1. Welcome and overview -

Helga Sonier welcomed attendees to this extraordinary Community Liaison Group (CLG) meeting and outlined that the purpose of this meeting was to share the Link Alliance’s urban realm

designs with CLG members and key stakeholders. She also informed CLG members that there would be a regular CLG meeting in 2 weeks’ time (7th July).

2. Mt Eden Station urban realm designs: -

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-

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Simon Lough and Alan Whiteley introduced the urban realm designs for Mt Eden, and communicated that this process has already been carried out extensively for Aotea and Karangahape Stations.

The focus for this meeting was on the urban realm to be delivered by the Link Alliance as part of the designation conditions.

The urban realm encompasses the look and feel of the station and the street environment within this designation area.

Panuku Development Auckland (Panuku), possibly in partnership with Kainga Ora, will develop the identified area extending beyond Link Alliance’s scope post the station development. We are engaging with Panuku and Kainga Ora to integrate urban realm design with their adjacent development. It is anticipated Panuku will engage on their future plans later in the year.

The team would be noting feedback received at this meeting, and any further ideas can be sent through to the team over the next week. This feedback can work to improve the design and be considered in the design development.

Feedback will be recorded within Mt Eden Station’s Urban Design Delivery Work Plan (UD DWP).

The UD DWP is a document that ensures our design integrates within the surrounding urban context.

CLG feedback on the draft UD DWP will be sought around mid to late August 2021, ahead of the draft being submitted to Auckland Council for certification around late October 2021.

Wider public engagement across all three stations is expected in late August 2021.

Four overarching principles have influenced the design development: 1.

2.

3.

4.

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Mana Whenua – A design partnership with Mana Whenua.

Movement and Connectivity – Safe and easy access.

Public Realm and Landscape – An inclusive public realm.

Existing and Proposed Buildings – A sensitive and integrative approach.

For the Mt Eden Station precinct, a local puna (spring) - Te Ipu Pakore, as well as the movement of water through basalt has influenced the design development.

Designs incorporate planting, seating, cycle racks and bollards for pedestrian safety.

Retail space is proposed in the new station.

A bus interchange will be on Mt Eden Road and there will be a controlled crossing on Mt Eden Road to allow safe crossing from the bus stops and down into the service lane to the Station (pedestrians, cyclists, and service vehicles only).

Korari Street extension will become a one-way route with 4 parking spaces (mobility spaces and pick up and drop off only). Parking provision for service vehicles behind the station.

All designs go through a CPTED review (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) which includes line of sight, good orientation, lighting etc.

Feedback: Future development:

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Need for a joined-up discussion regarding future development.

Desire for a masterplan for the area, given there will be an increase in people, jobs, apartments and businesses in the area in the future.

Ensure the future development reflects the unique Uptown character i.e., art. Feel that current designs do not reflect this, and it is something that Panuku and Kainga Ora need to consider.

The Uptown Business Association is advocating for a supermarket within the new station.

Walking connections: -

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Opportunity for a more direct connection to Symonds Street and/or a clear walkway to the station from the main roads. Particularly as some of the streets up to New North Road/Mt Eden Road are quite steep.

Concerns around safe public access between some of the narrower looking pathways (i.e., from Ruru Street to Ngahura Street).

Concerned about a ’canyon effect’ along Nikau Street with no light due to tall buildings.

Importance of safe pedestrian access and ensuring enough light and activity around walkways.

Pedestrian access from Fenton St bridge into that station (note that this is not part of the Link Alliance scope to deliver).

Cycling provision: -

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25 Bike racks with capacity for 50 bikes is not considered enough.

Sheltered and secure storage is important and cycle parking buildings are desirable, like what AT has near Aotea and Britomart.

Could be a potential for advertising on cycle parking to make it more cost effective. Could partner with local businesses, and advertising could focus on the local area and align with Uptown Business Association.

Mt Eden Station could be a cycling hub given its location. There are several established bike shops in the area that could provide more input.

Support for EV charging spaces for scooters/bikes.

Utilities, planting and maintenance: -

Run down looking powerlines along Nikau/Ruru Street could be upgraded to ensure the area is tidy and in keeping with new development.

CCTV should be centred around the station entrance.

Importance of general tidiness and maintenance of the area.

Neighbouring apartment block would like their planting to be in keeping with what is proposed in the future if a planting plan can be shared.

Evergreen/native trees will be planted as part of urban realm delivery.

Urban realm presentation now available on the City Rail Link website with all other Mt Eden CLG presentations. Next CLG meeting to be held on Wednesday 7th July at 5.30pm.