2.13 Observatory
The activities, controls and assessment criteria in the Public Open Space - Informal Recreation zone and the Auckland-wide rules apply in the precinct unless otherwise specified below. Refer to planning maps for the location and extent of the precinct.
1. Activity table
The activities in the Public Open Space - Informal Recreation zone apply in the Observatory precinct unless otherwise specified in the activity table below.
 Activity  Activity Status
 Commerce
 Retail activities accessory to observatories and planetariums  P
 Restaurants accessory to observatories and planetariums  P
 Community facility
Conference facilities accessory to Observatory and planetarium  P
Education facilities accessory to Observatory and planetarium  P
Observatory and planetarium  P
Displays and exhibitions  P
 Development
Buildings, additions and alterations  C
2. Notification
1. The council will publicly notify resource consent applications for the following activities:
a. Buildings, additions and alterations
3. Development controls
1. The development controls in the Informal Recreation zone apply in the Observatory precinct unless otherwise specified below.
3.1 Building coverage and location
1. The maximum building platform area of all buildings comprising the Observatory and Planetarium complex located within the Observatory precinct shall not be greater than 60% of the total precinct.
2.Development that does not comply with clause 3.1.1 is a discretionary activity.
3. Buildings must be entirely located within the precinct.
4.Development that does not comply with clause 3.1.3 is a discretionary activity.
4. Assessment - Controlled activities
4.1 Matters of control
The council will reserve its control to the matters listed below for the activity listed as controlled in the precinct table:
1. Buildings, additions and alterations:
a. height
b. external appearance of buildings
c. landscaping
d. access, car parking, including surfacing of car parking areas
4.2 Assessment criteria
The council will consider the assessment criteria below for the controlled activity listed above:
1. Whether the buildings, additions and alterations are located wholly within the precinct.
2. Whether the external appearance, access and parking and landscaping are compatible with the landscape character of the area.
5. Precinct plan
Precinct plan 1: Observatory precinct