PC78 Learning Summary - Proposed Additional Residential Zone Amenity Standards
To download this learning summary as a PDF, click here.
1. Proposed Additional Residential Zone Amenity Standards
Auckland Council have proposed additional residential zone amenity standards to be complied with under Plan Change 78. These are not ‘density standards’ as defined in Schedule 3A, Part 1 of the RMA.
These new amenity standards are proposed in the Residential – Mixed Housing Urban (MHU) and Residential – Terrace Housing and Apartment Buildings (THAB) zones:
Deep soil area and canopy tree;
Safety and privacy buffer from private pedestrian vehicle accessways; and
Residential waste management.
See Appendix 1 in the learning guide PDF for the proposed wording of these standards. The new standards also have proposed special information requirements that would be located at the end of each zone chapter.
2. What activities are these standards proposed to apply to?
A full table is included in the PDF learning summary.
As an overview:
Deep soil and canopy tree standard
All proposed dwellings, including internal and external alterations, and where new accessory buildings are proposed
Integrated residential development
Supported residential care - only up to 10 persons in MHU, but all in THAB
Boarding houses - only up to 10 persons in MHU, but all in THAB
Visitor accommodation - only up to 10 persons in MHU, but all in THAB
Care centres
Community facilities
Healthcare facilities up to 200m² gross floor area per site
Safety and privacy buffer from private pedestrian vehicle accessways standard
All proposed dwellings, including internal and external alterations (but not accessory buildings)
Integrated residential development - THAB only
Supported residential care - only up to 10 persons in MHU, but all in THAB
Boarding houses - only up to 10 persons in MHU, but all in THAB
Visitor accommodation - only up to 10 persons in MHU, but all in THAB
Note that the text of the standard for safety and privacy buffer refers to ‘dwellings’ and therefore we do not expect that this standard will apply to activities described above where no dwellings are proposed.
Residential waste management standard
All proposed dwellings, except one dwelling per site subject to SEA overlay
3. Do these standards apply to current proposals for development?
These additional standards do not have immediate legal effect for any of the activities listed above.
A proposal for new residential units (dwellings) that complies with all the density standards as set out in Schedule 3A, Part 2, but not these additional proposed standards, can still occur as a permitted activity at this time. This will remain subject to other requirements, such as that the proposal is not in a new residential zone and not in a qualifying matter area.
5. Summary
Plan Change 78 proposes additional amenity standards in addition to the density standards that are required to be incorporated into the Auckland Unitary Plan.
These additional amenity standards do not have immediate legal effect. An applicant is not required to design their proposal to comply with these standards at this time.
A proposal that complies with the ‘density standards’ introduced via the Medium Density Residential Standards in Schedule 3A, Part 2 of the RMA may still be established as a permitted activity, subject to not being within a qualifying matter area or a new residential zone.