Council seeks submissions on Signs Bylaw

Footpath accessibility and smoking outside cafes are just some of the issues that the Council wants to hear from the community on.

The Palmerston North City Council is calling for public submissions on the draft Signs and Use of Public Places Bylaw, which is currently under review.

The extent to which footpaths can be used by businesses versus their primary purpose for pedestrians is a key issue.

Policy analyst Peter Ridge says “The bylaw currently requires a minimum of 1.5m of clear, straight-line width to give pedestrians clear passage along footpaths. The Council wants to know what the community thinks would be an adequate width of unobstructed footpath in the CBD, and whether it should be different in different parts of the city.”

The Council is also interested in whether smoking should be banned from the outdoor areas that extend onto the footpath.

“The draft bylaw doesn’t include any changes to the conditions for footpath permits that would prohibit smoking,” Peter said. “However, it could be included to discourage people from smoking and to support the Council’s Smokefree Outdoor Areas Policy. Therefore, the Council is expressly looking for feedback on the idea.”

Information about issues and changes proposed in the draft bylaw is available at pncc.govt.nz, along with a summary document and a submission form. It can also be found at the Council’s Customer Service Centre, the central and branch libraries, and the Ashhurst Services Delivery Centre.

Submissions close on 6 March 2015.

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