COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO.129

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That SDCC place as many of the car parks, roads and rail track as possible underground as not to prevent free movement of cyclists and pedestrians.

Cllrs G. O Connell, P. Gogarty and L. O'Toole 

REPORT:

Response

The Draft Planning Scheme promotes cycling and walking through the incorporation of a network of dedicated and street integrated pedestrian and cyclist routes.

It is not proposed to underground any roads or railway track as part of the Planning Scheme. This would significantly undermine the viability of the Draft Planning scheme and is both unnecessary and inappropriate.

The undergrounding of roads would also be at variance with DMURS (2013) in term so the promotion of integrated streets and the undergrounding of railway tracks is outside the remit of South Dublin Council.

Furthermore, the Transport Assessment and Strategy that accompanies the Draft Planning Scheme includes an examination of the spatial requirements of its parking requirement and, utilising DMURS guidance, concludes that the majority of parking can be met on-street thus reducing resource and urban design implications. Such parking has been found to promote traffic calming and efficient in turnover of spaces.

Any requirement to increase underground car parking would have implications in relation to the viability and affordability of residential development.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Proposed Motion

Additional underground provision and associated construction activity may require significant soil disturbance and removal as well as potential effects on soil and geology SEOs; use of significant additional amounts of concrete would also cumulatively effect air quality and climate SEOS. Potential effects may also arise in relation to drainage and percolation on the lands. It is not recommended for adoption.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Proposed Motion

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives. The provision of overhead pedestrian crossings, which are at variance with DMURS in terms of the creation of shared/integrated streets, is not considered to be appropriate or necessary. This may also increase overall transport footprint cumulatively within the planning scheme; for these reasons it is not recommended for adoption.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

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