COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 102

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

In section 2.2.6 Parking, Car Parking Standards amend the sentence "Near zero or zero parking provision for individual developments may be acceptable subject to the degree of compliance with the following:" to read:

Reduced parking provision for individual developments may be acceptable subject to the degree of compliance with the following:

Rationale: We want to encourage people not to use cars, but if people don't have the option of owning a car due to no spaces they are less likely  to purchase homes and the social mix will be skewed.

Cllrs G. O'Connell, L. O'Toole and F. Timmons

REPORT:

Response

It is accepted that the Draft Planning Scheme could be amended to apply the caveats on zero or near zero parking to developments with reduced parking provision. Removing the opportunity for near zero or zero parking would inhibit the achievement of a sustainable mode split, the potential for the efficient use of public transport, sharing of car spaces and the integration of land use and transport planning. This would also be at variance with the relevant guidelines in relation to limiting the availability of parking in urban centres and close to public transport to discourage car commuting.

The Draft SDZ Planning Scheme seeks to minimise the number of car spaces and maximise their use within the SDZ lands in order to promote sustainable travel patterns. Car parking for the key land uses in Clonburris are required to be provided in accordance with the standards set out under the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016 –2022. The provision for lower rates of parking and possibility of car free housing under the County Development are reiterated under the Draft Planning Scheme including caveats that relate to proximity to public transport and services, sharing of spaces, mobility management planning, proximity to employment and car dependency.

This approach is consistent with the recommendations of the Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009) and the National Transport Authority’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, which seeks to implement maximum parking standards that reflect proximity to public transport and limit the availability of parking in urban centres to discourage car commuting. Furthermore, the Sustainable Urban Housing Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities Draft Update (December 2017) advise that the car parking provision for apartments in locations that are well served by public transport such as the SDZ lands should be substantially reduced.

It is accepted that the caveats in the County Development Plan also relates to reduced parking demand and, in this context, it is recommended that the motion be adopted with amendment.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment.

Amend Section 2.2.6 (Car Parking Standards) as follows:

The development of car free housing may be considered in the higher density areas of the SDZ lands adjacent to Public Transport interchanges and within the urban centres planned around the Clondalkin-Fonthill and Kishoge rail stations only. Reduced parking provision (including Nnear zero or zero parking provision) for individual developments may be acceptable subject to the degree of compliance with the following:...

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.