Part 1 – General Information
1.6 Alternative Solutions
1.6.2 Design Criteria
A developer may depart from any aspect of the MPDC Development Manual, however any departure and the suggested alternative will be assessed against the following design criteria:
1. The provisions in section 5.9 of the Matamata-Piako District Plan.
2. The following overriding factors:
- The desire to achieve the “Seven Cs” of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.
- Safe and functional outcomes.
- Sustainability of alternatives.
- Economics of long term maintenance.
3. The criteria tables below.
The following tables identify specific aspects of design relating to each section of the MPDC Development Manual. These aspects are some of the key criteria that will be considered when assessing an application for departure from the standards. It must be noted that these may not be the only criteria, by which an assessment is made, however these give some guidance as to the expectations of Council when accepting a variation.
Only those departures from the MPDC Development Manual applied for and approved through the “Specific Variation Request Form” (included herein) shall be permitted.
Part 2: Earthworks and Land Stability
|
Element |
Factor |
Comment |
|
Earthworks |
Design Standards for Earthworks |
Minimum standards shall be met. |
Part 3: Roading
|
Element |
Factor |
Comment |
| Parking | Adequate Saturation | Sufficient parking shall be provided to cater for a likely need given the neighbourhood environment, housing density, street function and future developments. |
Carriageway Width |
Street Function / Status / Traffic Volumes | Allowances shall be made to cater for emergency service vehicles. Functional priorities shall be provided for. |
| Safety of Cyclists and Pedestrians | The needs of the vulnerable road user shall be considered and incorporated into the development. | |
| Traffic Safety | All classes of vehicle shall use the carriageway in a safe manner without causing any measurable safety concerns. | |
| Speed Environment | The speed environment shall be appropriate to the function of the road, the type of surrounding development and width of carriageway. | |
| Connectivity | Roads connecting to the existing network shall have a function and purpose consistent with that network and with future development. | |
| Horizontal and Vertical Geometry | Safety for all road users shall be the priority and this shall be incorporated into the horizontal and vertical geometry. | |
| Character | Roads shall have an appropriate character that is consistent with the surrounding neighbourhood. | |
| Intersection Spacing | Intersection Treatment | Close offset intersection spacing may be acceptable if there is appropriate treatment of the intersection consistent with the likely traffic volumes. |
| Context | Low speed environments can support less conventional intersections | |
| Intersection Radii | Context | These shall be designed so that they cater for both pedestrian and vehicle movements. |
| Safety | Radii on all intersections shall be designed so that they allow for vehicle and pedestrian movements in a safe and consistent manner. | |
| Access | Radii on roads leading to a business / industrial area shall be designed to cater for heavy commercial vehicle movements. | |
| Sight Distances | No Variation Permitted through the Development Manual variation process. | Adequate sight distances shall be provided in all situations. |
| Longitudinal Gradients (Increased) | Length of Grade | The steepness shall not be increased so that it causes adverse safety, drainage, visibility alignment or future maintenance issues. |
| Location | The location of sudden grade changes shall be located away from intersections and curves (including sag and crest) | |
| Character | Function and safety shall be maintained where the existing landscape or terrain is altered. | |
| Road Pavement Construction and Testing | No Variation Permitted | The pavement shall be designed to cater for likely traffic in the development, including heavy vehicles e.g. rubbish trucks |
| Road Drainage | Longevity, Reliability and Maintenance Requirements | Alternative stormwater systems can often require a greater level of servicing and cost to maintain them. Any alternative proposals shall identify the servicing requirements and all whole of life maintenance / capital costs. |
| Impact on Formal Reticulation | Any impacts on the downstream reticulation shall be identified and addressed, including positive ones to attenuate the flow. | |
| Road Safety and Secondary Flowpaths | If the failure of the alternative system results in widespread ponding, this will impact on road safety. Secondary flow paths shall be designed to cater for the entire run-off, in the event of a system failure. | |
| Local Subsoil Effects | Subsoil drain discharge points shall be located away from the pavement, hillsides and embankments so that pavement saturation / or slope instability does not occur. | |
| Footpaths | Context | Footpaths shall be provided to access public open spaces in a planned and logical manner, and shall meet present and future needs across the development. |
| Pram Crossings | Safety / Desire Lines | All pram crossings shall be located in a safe location that provides the user with the best visibility of approaching traffic. |
| Road Lighting | Luminance – No Variation Permitted | Adequate lighting shall be provided throughout the development so that it is safe for all night-time users of footpaths and streets. |
| Road Markings | Environment | In some special cases a reduction in road markings may be appropriate, but only where other supporting treatments are present and safety is not comprised. |
| Street Furniture | Context | The provision of street furniture for seating, cycle racks, rubbish bins etc often enhances the built environment. |
| Character | The inclusion of appropriate street features and public art can strengthen and enhance the development, neighbourhood and wider community. | |
| Creativity | The creation of a quality place to live and/or work is often related to the creativity of the space. Appropriate street furniture and its placement can aid in achieving this outcome. | |
| Safety | All street furniture shall be durable, safe and appropriately positioned so that it enhances the safety of the space. | |
| Maintenance | Durable street furniture shall be used that is easy and cost effective to maintain and renew. |
Part 4: Stormwater Drainage
|
Element |
Factor |
Comment |
| Location | Access | Accessing the pipeline for maintenance and connections |
| Disruption / Traffic Delay | Locating the pipeline in the berm may minimise the need for highly restrictive traffic management required during maintenance. This is important in both narrow carriageways and very busy roads. | |
| Protection of Costly Surfacing | Within town centres or business areas, where special surface coatings may be used, locating pipelines in the berm may reduce the need to uplift and relay expensive paving materials. | |
| Manhole Lids | Availability / Cost | The use of alternative lids, to match the surrounding paving can add to the character of a place, however the cost and availability of replacement lids must be considered. |
| Catch pits | Efficiency | A standard catch pit in an ideal installation has an entry capacity of 20–25 L/s. Any alternative must be shown to have at least this capacity. |
| Effective Screening | The screening effectiveness of any alternative grating must be equivalent to a standard catch pit grating. | |
| Cost | The cost and ease of replacing the unit or components will be considered. |
Part 5: Wastewater Drainage
| Element | Factor | Comment |
| Location | Access | Accessing the pipeline for maintenance and connections |
| Disruption / Traffic Delay | Locating the pipeline in the berm may minimise the need for highly restrictive traffic management during maintenance. This is important in both narrow carriageways and very busy roads. | |
| Protection of Costly Surfacing | Within town centres or business areas, where special surface coatings may be used, locating pipelines in the berm may reduce the need to uplift expensive paving materials. | |
| Manhole Lids | Availability / Cost | The use of alternative lids to match the surrounding paving can add to the character of a place. However the cost and availability of replacement lids must be considered. |
Part 6: Water Supply
| Element | Factor | Comment |
| Reticulation Layout | Level of Service | Applicant must show that all proposed and potential users can be serviced to the level of service required, including connectivity to provide through mains where available. |
| Alignment | Access | Sufficient access must be available for maintenance and future connections to the network. |
| Road Widening | If road widening could be possible in the foreseeable future then the location of the main could be a consideration to this future work. |
