The District Plan sets out the rules and regulations for everything from subdividing land to the management of noise and the protection of natural and cultural heritage sites. It will cover important issues such as improving water quality, revitalising the city centre, economic growth and facilitating the development of Maori-owned land.
It differs from the council's Annual Plan that sets rates and fees for the coming financial year.
Canmap Hawley planner Jason Ward said he wanted the public to get involved in the process before it was too late.
"One example of a rule that may impact many residents in Rotorua is that new garages may not be within direct view of the street without council's approval.
"It is unclear as to whether having a garage in direct view of the street is an issue for the Rotorua community. The typical Kiwi house has a garage that fronts the road with a private backyard where you can play with the kids or relax and entertain.
"The requirement to have to apply for resource consent will add extra costs and risks to the building project. Each case will be looked at on its merits and council will decide whether the proposal is appropriate in that location. You may need to get neighbours' consents and possibly attend a hearing," Mr Ward said.
Rotorua District Council Planning Services manager Tracy May said the primary purpose of the draft was to identify any issues early and to make sure clarifications were in later versions so plan users could easily understand the rules.
"The draft plan is suggesting that garages in the front yard require control, as they do now, to ensure that streetscape amenity is provided.
"The front and side yards play an important role in the management of privacy and amenity in urban areas and front yards provide important street scape functions and commonly are areas for vehicle turning.
"We need to make sure that there is enough space on-site on some roads to make sure parking and turning does not create traffic congestion."
Ms May said council staff had received about 40 queries to date.
"Some of these are specific to landowner's sites, which is great and exactly what we are after. The main issues were zoning of properties, roading urban design, appropriate commercial zoning, lakefront development, and also making sure that the plan is easy to understand."
Mr Ward said there was a fine line between having rules to enhance the urban landscape and having overly restrictive rules that would either stifle innovative design or make it just too hard for people.
"The District Plan zones all land and affects property rights. All zones have their own set of rules which either provide opportunity to develop your land or places restrictions on what may be carried out without the need to obtain resource consent.
"The Resource Management Act no longer requires councils to review their district plans every 10 years. This plan therefore may have a greater life, meaning it is particularly important that the communities aspirations are reflected," he said.
Submissions on the draft District Plan close May 27.
The Rotorua District Council's draft District Plan can be viewed at www.fresh-ideas.co.nz or through www.rdc.govt.nz. Hard copies are available from the Civic Centre, the library and City Focus. A District Plan open day is on at Te Runanga Tearooms in the Government Gardens on May 16 from 9am to 4pm.
