03 April 2009

It’s not the pole, it’s where it is

The issue of the flagpole requiring a resource consent is not about the right to fly flags or to have flagpoles, it’s about where the pole is placed, Kapiti Coast District Council said today.

“Few people will have a problem with someone flying a flag – although they may have debates over which flag,” the Council’s Regulatory Manager, Ken Smith said today.

“But when the flagpole or other structure is close to the boundary and the flag or other structure encroaches on your neighbour’s space, then they are entitled to be concerned.

“In this case the resident who is complaining about being required to have a $650 resource consent for the flagpole has the pole less than 1.5 metres from the boundary.

“He has been told he won’t need a consent if he moves the pole so it’s 2.5 metres or more from the boundary so that it doesn’t breach the rules about encroachment. He could also avoid having to apply for a consent if the pole is attached to the house.

“The Resource Management Act is about effects and the effect of a flagpole and a flag, particularly on a windy day, can be extreme. Flags flapping are noisy and many people would find the banging of halyards against the pole quite irritating.

“Under the District Plan any request to site any structure within a certain distance of a boundary requires a resource consent. The aim is to ensure buildings and structures are not placed too close to each other for a whole variety of very good reasons.
ends

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