Written by Cameron Browne | Senior Planner | Cato Bolam Consultants
Trying to get your head around Auckland Council’s recent Plan Change 79 (PC79) decisions?
Here’s a summary of the latest decisions.
Auckland Council recently released its decisions on Plan Change 79 to the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP), introducing significant changes to the design requirements of access, parking, and loading, particularly for residential developments. These changes will affect the design and layout of new multi-unit housing developments and may influence the development yield and housing typologies.
Key Changes Introduced by PC79:
- Pedestrian Access Requirements: The proposed provisions require developers to prioritise pedestrian access in residential developments. This includes specific requirements for ‘Primary Pedestrian Access’ paths to each front door from the street, which are wide, vertically separated from vehicle traffic, and accessible, particularly in larger developments.
- Parking and Loading Spaces: The plan introduces new requirements for loading spaces for courier or delivery vans in developments with over ten dwellings and access from arterial roads. New rules also apply to providing accessible parking and secure bicycle storage.
- Electric Vehicle Charging: PC79 also requires provisions for installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure (this refers to the requirement to install the wiring but not the charger), including rules about how and where these are located.
- Speed Management: PC79 defines requirements for speed management devices on accessways, such as speed humps and lane narrowing, to enhance safety in residential zones.
- Heavy Vehicle Access: PC79 also proposes standards for turning areas and access considerations for heavy vehicles, such as rubbish trucks, to minimise the need for long reversing distances.
Auckland Council’s full decision document can be accessed here: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/UnitaryPlanDocuments/pc-79-decision.pdf. (Scroll to page 71 / the end of Attachment A).
*Please note, the appeal period starts from 18 August – 29 September 2024.
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