COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 99

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

In section 2.2.6 Parking, under Car Parking Standards, the first paragraph reading "In order to promote sustainable travel patterns, this Planning Scheme
seeks to minimise the number of car spaces and maximise their use within
the SDZ lands. A detailed car parking strategy and/or Workforce Travel
Plan (also known as Mobility Management Plan – see section 2.2.7 and
accompanying Transport Assessment and Strategy) that facilitates shared
or reduced use of car parking by different uses (including residential and
Park & Ride) should be submitted with applications for large scale mixed
use development" shall be amended to read:

In order to promote sustainable travel patterns, this Planning Scheme
seeks to minimise the number of on-street car spaces for residents and maximise their use within the SDZ lands. Car usage shall be discouraged through the scheme and alternatives provided, but the scheme shall not impact on the rights of residents to own cars. Sufficient paid underground car parking spaces shall be provided to cater for residential parking if desired. A detailed car parking strategy and/or Workforce Travel Plan (also known as Mobility Management Plan – see section 2.2.7 and accompanying Transport Assessment and Strategy) that facilitates shared or reduced use of on-street car parking by different uses (including residential and Park & Ride) should be submitted with applications for large scale mixed use development. The local authority shall reserve the right to introduce time limits for parking on-street outside designated Park & Ride parking (which shall be immediately adjacent to train stations only) so as to facilitate visitors and business trips but discourage hogging of parking spaces.
 
Cllrs G. O'Connell, L. O'Toole and F. Timmons

REPORT:

Response

The Draft Planning Scheme already provides for aspects of the subject motion in relation to ensuring sufficient provision of car parking and balancing the needs of the car. Reference to car ownership, promotion of basement parking and the management of parking is, however, unnecessary and inappropriate. Restrictions in relation to on-street parking would undermine the parking strategy for the SDZ particularly in relation to promoting the efficient turnover of parking spaces and reducing the land use demands and urban design implications associated with other parking typologies while promoting a more sustainable modal shift with reduced traffic speeds.

As stated under the key principle for Section 2.2 of the Draft Planning Scheme, it is a stated intention in relation to “balancing the needs of the car”. Furthermore, in the context that trip patterns combined with the integration of land use and transport planning generates demand on transport infrastructure, it is not considered necessary to include objectives or policy on car ownership.

The Transport Assessment and Strategy that accompanies the Draft Planning Scheme has carried out an assessment of the proposed car parking standards based on projected parking demand and an Accessibility Assessment. Further to the findings of the Transport Assessment and Strategy, it is indicated that the parking standards will be more than sufficient to cater for the parking needs of the Planning Scheme.

Furthermore, utilising DMURS guidance on parking design, an examination of the spatial requirements under the Transport Assessment and Strategy concludes that the majority of parking can be met on-street thus reducing resource and urban design implications. Such car spaces can aid in traffic calming and are more suited to efficient turnover in terms of use.

Any prescribed requirement to provide basement parking would have implications in relation to the viability and affordability, residential development, promoting the sharing of car spaces and the design of streets. The management of car spaces is outside the scope of the Planning Scheme and can be examined at detailed application stage.

The intent of the aspect of the proposed motion in relation to ensuring sufficient provision of car parking and balancing the needs of the car has been fulfilled by the Draft Planning Scheme and no amendment to the Planning Scheme is required it this regard.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.