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Rapid growth is causing delays in resource consents, engineering approval, subdivision approval and responses to general planning enquiries. 

6.2 Performance Standards

The following performance standards shall apply along with those general provisions outlined in Section 1 and Section 5.

 

6.2.1 New Zealand Urban Design Protocol and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design

 

  1. This performance standard applies only to subdivisions within the Residential zone, Rural-Residential zone, Industrial zone and Business zone, and to retirement villages.

  2. Each application for subdivision shall demonstrate that good quality urban design outcomes will be achieved.  Good urban design qualities are taken from the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol and National Guidelines for Crime Prevention through Environmental Design in New Zealand and for the purpose of this performance standard are defined as:
    Context: Seeing buildings, places and spaces as part of whole towns by analysing each project in relation to its setting and ensuring that each development fits in with and enhances its surroundings.

    Each subdivision should take into account:
    • Existing local landmarks and focal points.
    • Walking distance to a range of services and amenities.
    • Convenient access to public parks, open space and community facilities.
    Character: Reflecting, enhancing and protecting the distinctive character, significant cultural and visual landscape features, historic heritage and cultural identity of the urban environment.
    When assessing an application against this quality, consideration shall be given, but not limited to, Part A Sections 3.1.2.3 (O1, P1–5) and 3.5.2.2 (O2, P2–3).

    In particular the layout should contribute to the local identity of urban areas by:
    • Responding to existing site characteristics.
    • Responding to the surrounding environment.
    • Protecting and enhancing built, cultural and visual landscape features, landforms and significant views.
    Connections: Enhancing transportation networks and the links between the different transport modes (pedestrian, cycleway, street, etc.) to ensure safe and easy movement for people and the integration of the subdivision with surrounding neighbourhoods through these networks.  See Section 6.2.1(iii)(e).
    Custodianship: Ensuring that the design is environmentally and economically sustainable and that publicly accessible open spaces are well overlooked, safe and accessible.
    Collaboration: Takes an approach to the design that acknowledges the contribution of different disciplines and perspectives, communicating and sharing knowledge for the integration of landuse, structures and networks.
    CPTED: Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.

     

    In particular this includes:
    • Good visibility, sightlines and casual surveillance (overlooking) of public or publicly accessible spaces.
    • Safe routes and connections.
    • A clear and logical layout.

    Each application shall include a statement/evaluation demonstrating how these matters have been considered in preparing the proposal.  Compliance with these provisions shall be met by all proposed subdivisions identified in 6.2.1(i) and where available shall comply with an operative structure plan.

  3. To meet the outcomes of 6.2.1(ii) above, a subdivision should, where appropriate, comply with the following urban design criteria:
    1. The subdivision shall be integrated with the existing urban context.

    2. The layout and pattern of development traditionally representative of the existing urban area shall be continued.

    3. The design shall be highly connected with and between neighbourhoods for cycle, pedestrian and vehicle transport modes as appropriate to the scale of the subdivision.

    4. Safe pedestrian and cycle routes should be generally integrated within the road reserve and other public open space.

    5. Where appropriate and unless otherwise determined by an operative structure plan, all subdivision shall provide road and/or pedestrian connections between the land being subdivided, existing roads, adjoining properties, and balance lots in accordance with: the MPDC Development Manual 2010, including the
      • minimum sight distances.
      Any connections that are required above shall be vested as road and designed and constructed within 1m of the boundary.

      Advice Note:  The appropriateness of requiring the road connections shall be determined with reference to Objective O8 and Policy P9 in Part A, Section 3.8.3:  Transportation.

    6. The subdivision design shall retain key visual linkages within and between neighbourhoods.

    7. The subdivision shall be representative of street, block and lot layouts and landscape elements that build on and integrate with the existing local residential character.

    8. Public open space should be prominent and accessible, with good road frontage, within the local area.

    9. There shall be a predominance of lots fronting the street.

    10. Rear lot access areas should contain area available for landscaping.

    11. Existing vegetation which contributes to the overall amenity and character of the site and neighbourhood shall where possible be retained or consideration to mitigation is required.

    12. Where there are more that five lots a variety of lot sizes should be provided.

    13. Orientation of lots should maximise solar access.

    14. The design and lot layout should be designed to achieve casual surveillance of public open space.

  4. Council has prepared Urban Design Guidelines advice to assist applicants in preparing subdivision consent applications.  Where compliance with the above provisions is not clearly demonstrated the Council may seek an independent peer review by a suitably experienced professional in the urban design field.  Any such peer review shall be at the applicant’s expense.

  5. Performance standard 6.2.1 does not apply to the Precinct F Matamata Structure Plan (refer Planning Maps and Appendix 9.2) where resource consent is required as a restricted discretionary activity and applications are assessed against the matters outlined in Section 1.4.21.
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