urban design rules.fm

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This section updated December 2012

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RULES

1.0 General Performance Standards

The following performance standards shall applyonly to Apartments and Apartment Buildings.

(Note: Refer to the relevant Human Environmentrule for resource consent status).

(i) Apartment SizeApartments shall have a minimum gross floor area of40m² excluding garages, dedicated external storageareas, balconies, roof gardens, outdoor living areasand common internal access.

(ii) Balconies, roof gardens, courtyardsEach Apartment shall be provided with its ownbalcony, roof garden or courtyard, which has aminimum area of 7.0m², accommodates a 2.0 metrediameter circle, and is directly accessed from themain living room.

(iii) Outlook/Amenity(a) An outlook space shall be provided from the

main glazing of each Apartment (from oneexterior face of the Apartment Building only).

(b) The minimum dimensions of the outlookspace, measured at right angles to the exteriorface of each storey of the building shall be inaccordance with Figure 1(iii).

(c) The outlook space may be over:

(i) the site on which the Apartment Building islocated;

(ii) legal road (irrespective of the width of theroad reserve);

(iii) public open space; or

another site, provided that in this event all of the following shall apply:

• the outlook space shall be secured inperpetuity for the benefit of the ApartmentBuilding by a legal instrument to be put inplace prior to the commencement ofconstruction;

• written approval of the owner of theadjoining site for the outlook space shall beprovided when the application for resourceconsent is lodged;

• more than one Apartment Building may sharean outlook space.

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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA1(a) General

Applications that comply with the GeneralPerformance Standards 1.0 (i) - (iii) will be assessedin relation to assessment criterion 1(a) only.

(i) The extent to which each Apartment andApartment Building meets the design criteriaof the Apartment Design Criteria Appendix tothis rule; and

(ii) The extent to which the Apartment Buildingcontributes to high standards of design,pedestrian amenity, safe and attractivestreets and public places and assists in stimu-lating pedestrian activity; and

(iii) The extent to which any new ApartmentBuilding or any additions or alterations to anexisting Apartment Building in either casebeing over 20 metres in height will berequired to mitigate any actual or potentialadverse effects on public open spaces orstreets from changes in wind patterns.

Note: A report by a registered engineerqualified in wind assessments will berequired to accompany any application foran Apartment Building with a height of 20metres of greater.

1(b) Apartment Size

(i) The extent to which a variety of Apartmentsizes is provided within an Apartment Build-ing or in combination with other existing orproposed Apartment Buildings.

(ii) The extent to which the layout or internaldesign of each Apartment provides amenityand convenience for the occupants.

(iii) The extent to which adequate storage isprovided for each Apartment.

1(c) Balconies, roof gardens, courtyards

(i) The extent to which private balconies,courtyards and rooftop gardens relate tothe size of the Apartment and the potentialnumber of occupants in the Apartment.

(ii) The extent to which complementary orsecondary open spaces such as Juliet balco-nies accessible from other rooms of theApartment are provided,

Effects of Activities on Water, Vegetation, Native Vegetation and Fauna Habitat, Land, Air Quality, Mauri,Outstanding Landscapes and Amenity Values

RULE 1 APARTMENT DESIGN

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Figure 1(iii) Outlook/Amenity

Where the Performance Standards specified in Rule1.0 are not met, a resource consent will be required. Theresource consent category shall be as prescribed in therelevant Human Environment Rule and will beassessed having regard, as relevant, to assessmentcriteria 1(a) - 1(h) and any other matters that arerelevant under section 104 of the Act.

NOTES:1. If an activity is not controlled or restricted in any

way by any part of the Plan it is permitted, but mayrequire consents under other legislation/plans.

2. Activities must comply with all other relevant rulesof the Plan or be the subject of a resource consent.Check all other rules in this Human Environmentand also the Natural Area Rules, the City-WideRules, and where relevant, the Subdivision Rules.

3. Words in italics are defined - see the Definitionspart of the City-Wide Rules.

4. Words in bold are explained - see the Explanationspart of the Introduction to the Rules.

5. The Council may have a guideline to help interpretthis rule - check at the Council Offices.

6. For resource consents see the InformationRequirements in the City-Wide Rules.

7. Applicants for Apartments, mixed use and otherdevelopment in town centres should have a pre-application meeting with Council staff to discuss theapplication prior to lodging. This process shouldidentify potential design issues.

(ii) The extent to which indoor and/or moreoutdoor communal recreation facilities areprovided elsewhere in the development forthe exclusive use of occupants, or

(iv) The extent to which the ability to meet thestandards is affected by a proposal toretrofit an existing building in a town centre, or

(iii) The extent to which balconies are ofdiminished amenity value due to unavoid-able southerly orientation

1(d) Outlook/Amenity

The extent to which the layout or arrangement ofApartment(s) on the site and the design and locationof the main glazing of the apartment(s) ensuresadequate sunlight, daylight, and air admission.

Where existing buildings are converted to ApartmentBuildings, the extent to which it can be demonstratedthat appropriate light, air, amenity and outlook canbe provided by alternative means for each Apartmentwith design solutions such as sky lights.

1(e)

For Apartments or Apartment Buildings which do notmeet one or more of the performance standards, theextent to which the non-compliance is offset byspecial circumstances, including compliance withother specific design elements of this Rule and/orthe provision of some other facility or amenitieswithin the Apartment Building or development whichwill be available for the occupants/residents of theApartments to ensure their well being.

1(f)

The extent to which the Apartment(s) or ApartmentBuilding are in accordance with any Concept Planand/or approved Comprehensive DevelopmentPlan.

1(g) Apartment Buildings for Retirement Pur-

poses

Where an Apartment Building is to be dedicated forretirement purposes (defined as being for residentswho are at least 55 years or older) and where thatApartment Building does not meet any particular per-formance standard and/or design criterion of theApartment Design Criteria Appendix, the extentto which the non-compliance is offset by the special circumstancesand needs of the occupants.

Effects of Activities on Water, Vegetation, Native Vegetation and Fauna Habitat, Land, Air Quality, Mauri,Outstanding Landscapes and Amenity Values continued


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1(h) Mixed Use Buildings and Mixed Use Areas

The extent to which an Apartment within a Mixed UseBuilding or Mixed Use Area is located and designed insuch a way as to ensure the avoidance or mitigationof reverse sensitivity effects, and safe and efficientaccess for residents.

Note: see also policies: 1.1, 1.2, 1.14, 1.15, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.7, 10.18, 10.27, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.11, 11.12, 11.15, 11.19, 11.20, 11.27, 11.28, 11.28A, 11.35, 11.36, 11.37A, 11.37B, 11.41, 11.44, 11.45, 11.46, 11.47, 11.48, 11.49.(Policy Section of the Waitakere District Plan)

RESOURCE CONSENT CONDITIONSIn granting a resource consent Council may imposeconditions. Conditions may include any one ormore of the following matters:• Requiring alterations to design and/or location• Requiring the registration of consent notices on

titles if necessary to meet an ongoingperformance standards

• Requiring the provision of a landscape treatmentplan and implementation of that plan within agiven time

• Limiting the bulk and scale of activities and otherdevelopment

• Requiring measures within all Apartments toattenuate potential adverse effects fromadjoining non-residential activities

• Requiring certification at the completion ofbuilding or development by an acousticengineer or other suitably qualified person

• The imposition of a bond to ensure satisfactionof conditions of consent

• Requiring financial contributions in accordancewith the Plan

• Requiring onsite or offsite works and services toavoid, remedy, mitigate or offset adverse effects

• Requiring compliance with the findings of anassessment of the effects of wind from theproposed development on the adjoiningenvironment

• Ensuring appropriate conditions in body cor-porate documents and the like (including cove-nants or consent notices on titles) to provideadvice or note limitations on the extent of com-pliance with a noise control

• Requiring protection of an outlook space inperpetuity

• Such other matters provided for in section 108of the Act or in the assessment criteria.



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Introduction

This Appendix sets out the design criteria forApartments and Apartment Buildings.

The criteria provide performance measures forassessing the design of Apartments to provideopportunities for site responsive designs, whileensuring that Apartments provide a positivecontribution to the character and amenity of theparticular neighbourhood in which they are located.A further aim is to enable the development ofApartments that ensure a good level of amenity forresidents.

The design criteria are grouped into the followingthree categories:

Element A Site Development;Element B Apartment Design (relating to the layout of individual apartments); andElement C Apartment Buildings.

The Apartment Design criteria are a necessaryadjunct to the City-Wide Rule 1 Apartment Design,which establishes three basic requirements for anApartment: size; provision of a balcony or otheroutdoor space; and a minimum outlook area. Theserequirements are quantified and measurable and arenecessary in order to provide certainty of aminimum standard of development.

The Apartment Design Criteria establish the designcriteria that Apartments and Apartment Buildings willbe assessed against. These criteria are generallyqualitative rather than being quantifiable. This isbecause each Apartment and Apartment Building willrequire a different design solution for the issuessuch as internal access, layout and ventilation.

Some of the design criteria specify minimumrequirements (storage, for example) that are deemedto satisfy the criteria but which are qualified by arange of assessment criteria. Other design criteriaare not necessarily measurable but resource consentapplications will need to demonstrate considerationand appropriate provision for meeting those criteriain the proposal. While there may be circumstanceswhere the various elements may need to be balancedagainst each other, an appropriate level of amenitymust be achieved for all aspects of the development.


RULE 1 APPENDIX - APARTMENT DESIGN CRITERIA

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For Apartments in a Mixed Use Building or Mixed UseArea there are specific criteria that address reversesensitivity and separation of uses to ensure thatthose Apartments have safe and secure access forresidents.

Note: These Apartment Design Criteria should beread in conjunction with any available non-statutoryapartment or building design guideline availablefrom Council.

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ELEMENT A

NEIGHBOURHOOD CHARACTER, SITE LAYOUT AND BUILDING LOCATIONThe integration of any new development into itsneighbourhood requires careful attention to therelationship with the surrounding properties, publicspace and streetscape. This becomes more essentialthe more established the neighbourhood is becauseof the potential change to the landscape character andamenity values that can result from the introduction ofdifferent building and architectural styles, loss oftrees and changes to the relationship with the streetarising from building bulk and location.

Rules ensure that architects and designers analysethe nature of the neighbourhood when preparingthe concept for a development. The purpose of theSite Analysis and Street Frontage rules is to address theabove issues, and in conjunction with the City WideRule 1 Apartment Design and this ApartmentDeign Criteria Appendix are intended to ensureApartments are developed in a manner whichachieves good integration with theirneighbourhood.

The City Wide Site Analysis, Street Frontage andApartment Design rules, in conjunction with theexisting bulk and location rules in those HumanEnvironments that provide for Apartments, ensure thatnew apartment buildings or the retrofitting orconstructing of additional floors to existingbuildings for Apartment purposes will providecertainty of quality urban design outcomes.

ELEMENT B

Gross Floor AreasCity Wide Rule 1 Apartment Design requires aminimum floor area for apartments, and is considerednecessary to ensure that the residential developmentachieves a minimum level of amenity for theoccupants.

SITE DEVELOPMENT

DESIGN CRITERIAA1 The proposed development should address the

criteria of the City Wide Rule 2 Site Analysisand City Wide Rule 3 Building Design-StreetFrontage rules relating to the specific site.

A2 The overall design, character and landscapetreatment of the site layout should:

(a) provide for the retention of existing naturalfeatures such as trees, with an emphasis onprotected and heritage trees;

(b) limit earthworks and ensure the ApartmentBuilding and its associated developmentrelates to the topography and views;

(c) provide well oriented living spaces -balconies and any common outdoor areas,and efficient and safe site access;

(d) provide for an integrated streetscape.

A3 The height and design of the Apartment Buildingshould relate to adjacent buildings and siteboundaries to ensure overshadowing anddominance is minimised.

APARTMENT DESIGN

DESIGN CRITERIAB1 Apartments should be an appropriate size to

meet minimum amenity standards foroccupants. Generally minimum apartment sizesshould be as follows:

• studio - 40m²

• one bedroom - 45m²

• one and a half bedroom - 60m²


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Provision for a Mix of ApartmentsIn addition to the rules for a minimum floor area,compliance with the design criteria should ensurethat the size, layout, provision for storage, naturalventilation and daylight in apartments are adequatefor the amenity and well-being of residents.Flexibility in apartment design is desirable to ensurethat apartments will provide for a range ofpermanent and temporary occupants in differentage groups, and to take into account differences inthe number of residents wishing to shareaccommodation.

A range of Apartment sizes should be provided in anApartment Building or Apartment Buildingdevelopment. In general, it is desirable that adevelopment includes a range of apartments toachieve a mix of occupants and variety in thebuilding form and appearance.

In some cases, Human Environment (eg. special areas)rules require the preparation of a comprehensivedevelopment plan. This may negate the necessity forhaving a range of apartment sizes in each ApartmentBuilding as that variety can be achieved across theprecinct in a number of Apartment Buildings. Thesesame considerations may also apply to apartments intown centres particularly for smaller developmentsand additions to existing buildings, but would needto be addressed as a part of the design response.

A greater number of smaller apartments areacceptable where the development is part of apurpose-built facility, such as a retirement home, ora student accommodation, provided that communallounges, living spaces and outdoor areas, andfacilities are provided to off set the smaller livingspaces. In such cases the proposal should bededicated, for instance by legal covenant, for thepurpose proposed.

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• two bedroom - 70m²

• three bedroom - 90m²

(in all cases exclusive of balconies, roof gardens andcourtyards, but which may include up to 50% of theminimum requirement for storage space where thatis provided elsewhere in the Apartment Building).

Note: The above may vary for Apartments utilisedfor dedicate

B2 A range of Apartment sizes should be providedin an Apartment Building. Where an ApartmentBuilding contains 10 or more apartments, nomore than 60% should be one bedroom orstudio units. As an alternative, where severalApartment Buildings are to be constructedwithin an area or precinct, a range ofApartment sizes should be provided within thatarea or precinct. Where Apartment Buildings areto be used for student accommodation orretirement purposes this criterion may bewaived.

B3 The internal layout of each apartment shouldprovide for the following:

(i) convenience and efficiency in the layoutand room proportions with good circula-tion and relationships to glazing;

(ii) habitable rooms with a minimum floor toceiling height of 2.4m (see also ventilationrequirements)

(iii) Living areas that are adequately sized andproportioned. As a guide, living and diningareas should have a minimum width of 3.2metres and a minimum area of:

(a) studio 11m²;(b) one bedroom 21m²(c) two bedroom 30m²(d) three bedroom unit 38m²

(in all cases exclusive of kitchen and circulationareas)

(iv) the provision of the following basic furni-ture items (to be illustrated on scale draw-ings of the apartment floor plan):

(a) Living areas of sufficient floor area tocontain a dining table and chairs,standard size lounge seating for the


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Requirements for StorageStudies have highlighted a lack of suitable storagefacilities in apartment developments. By ensuring aminimum gross floor area for apartments it isconsidered that there will be adequate space to meetthe storage needs of the occupants. All apartmentsshall be provided with a designated internal storagespace, separate to the hot water cupboard and bedesigned to allow easy access and use.
In identified town centres (such as New Lynn),because of the accessibility of integrated passengertransport facilities (bus and rail stations) with ahigher frequency of service, there is not arequirement for car parking associated with

number of intended occupants storagefor a stereo and TV set, all able to bearranged in suitable positions whichallow for ease of movement about thefurniture;

(b) Kitchens: Bench with a minimumlength of 1.5m by 0.5 wide, storageunits/drawers and cupboards forequipment and food, stove and spacefor a 0.7m by 0.7m refrigerator;

(c) Bathrooms: Bath or shower, wash handbasin and/or vanity unit and toilet ifnot provided in separate room;

(d) Toilet, if not provided in a bathroom;(e) Clothes washing and drying facilities,

provided that there may be communalprovision for drying facilities; and

(f) Bedrooms: Beds and wardrobe(s) ableto be arranged in suitable positionswhich allow for ease of movementabout the furniture.

B4 The layout of apartments in an ApartmentBuilding should provide for the following:

(i) Adequate separation of sleeping quartersfrom living areas between units and fromlift shafts, and mechanical vents;

(ii) Ease of access for the delivery/removal offurniture into and out of an apartment withprovision of non standard height and largerwidth entrances, lobbies, doors, commoncorridors, staircases, or where necessaryservice lifts.

B5 The layout should provide for adequatestorage. As a guide the following apply:

(i) Studio/one bedroom apartment 4m³;

(ii) Two bedroom apartment 5m³;

(iii) Three bedroom apartment 5.5m³.

Provided that:

(iv) A minimum of 50% of the required storageshould be provided within the apartment,the remainder provided within the Apart-ment Building.


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Apartment Buildings. Cycling is also analternative mode of transport and is beingencouraged with the development of cyclewaysaround the City and is also popular for recreation.Apartment Buildings, particularly in town centres andSpecial Areas where car parking requirements areless stringent need to provide secure convenientbicycle storage.

Natural Ventilation and DaylightNatural ventilation is the preferred ventilation forapartments, but is acknowledged that whereapartments are adjacent to external noise or airdischarges, alternative ventilation may beappropriate. Alternative ventilation systems shouldminimise energy use.

Ensuring an adequate level of daylight access intoapartments is beneficial to the occupants well beingand health. The design and layout of apartmentsshould provide for daylight access.

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B6 Provisions should be made within theApartment Building for secure bicycle storage,particularly in town centres.

B7 Apartments should be designed to achieveappropriate natural ventilation and daylightrequirements

B8 Ventilation should be provided within theApartment Building as follows:

(i) Cross ventilation, through window anddoor configurations, allowing unimpededair movement through the full width anddepth of the Apartment;

(ii) Kitchens and bathrooms rooms are inde-pendently ventilated;

(iii) Basement car parks and service areas areventilated;

(iv) Preference should be given in all cases tonatural ventilation (eg. opening windows).

Ceiling Height

Maximum Room for Window

(i) 2.4 metres 6.0 metres

(ii) 2.7 metres 9.0 metres

(iii) 3.0 metres 12.0 metres


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Balconies, Roof Gardens and CourtyardsThe City-Wide Rule 1 Apartment Design requires aprivate balcony, roof garden or courtyard for eachapartment for passive recreation by the occupants.

The climate in Auckland is generally mild and thesummer months can be warm and humid. Theprovision of balconies, rooftop gardens orcourtyards for all apartments is required to enablepassive recreation by the occupants of theapartment. In addition to meeting minimumdimensions, balconies or decks should be designedto ensure that they are useable and provide asatisfactory level of amenity.

The apartment layout needs to provide forconvenient access to the balcony, roof garden orcourtyard and together with the main glazing of theliving room an orientation and outlook that ensuresappropriate levels of privacy, outlook, daylight andsunlight while also considering opportunities forsurveillance.

Shared outdoor space (such as gardens and barbequeareas), or recreational facilities (such as swimmingpools and tennis courts) with safe and efficientaccess from apartments, while not being mandatory,may also be provided for developments whereappropriate.

Outlook and AmenityThe City Wide Rule 1 Apartment Design requires aminimum outlook from the main glazing of theapartment. The purpose of the rule is to ensure thatthe light, air and amenity of an apartment isprotected where the main outlook and glazing of theapartment does not front a road or public space andthe land adjoining the apartment is in a Special Area,Community, Working or Living Environment andcould be developed with a large building or highsolid wall on the boundary.

Alternative ventilation may be acceptablewhere natural ventilation is shown to notbe appropriate.

B9 Balconies, roof gardens and courtyardsshould:

(i) be a reasonable location, size, dimensionand orientation to relate adequately to thesize of the Apartment and the potentialnumber of occupants in the Apartment. As aguide studio and one bedroom apartmentsshould have a minimum balcony size of7.0m² and two and three bedroom apart-ments should have balcony size greaterthan 7.0m²;

(ii) be oriented to achieve privacy from adjoin-ing Apartments, and are protected from thewind;

(iii) be oriented to provide passive surveillanceof public spaces, internal accessways orcommunal (but privately owned) outdoorspace;

(iv) be orientated to maximise sun and daylightaccess;

(v) add visual interest and aesthetic coherenceto the facade;

(vi) avoid being located adjacent to any air dis-charge device from within the ApartmentBuilding or on an adjoining site.

B10 The setback from the main outlook andglazing of an apartment to any site boundary,other than a boundary with a road, or buildingon the same site, should ensure access todaylight and air, providing for the amenity ofthe occupants. (Note: Compliance with CityWide Rule 1.0 (iii) Outlook/Amenity satisfiesthis criterion).

B11 As a guide, secondary glazing should maintainan outlook space for light, air and amenity


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Solar AccessAn adequate amount of sunlight is beneficial forpeoples’ well being and health. Ensuring anadequate level of solar access into apartments isbeneficial to the occupants and can reduce heatingcosts thereby contributing to energy efficiency. Thedesign and layout of apartments should provideaccess to winter sunlight from north, east or westfacing windows or living areas and appropriateshading to north and west facing glazing in summer.

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from other habitable rooms with a minimumdimension of:

(i) Building height up to 12 metres - 3.0 metreoutlook space

(ii) Building height above 12 metres - 4.5metre outlook space;

measured at right angles to the exterior faceof the building.

Provided that where existing buildings areconverted to Apartment Buildings, these criteriamay be reduced or waived where it can bedemonstrated that appropriate light, air, amenityand outlook can be provided by alternativemeans for each Apartment with design solutionssuch as sky lights.

Tertiary glazing shall comply with therequirements of the Building Code.

B12 The design should ensure:

(i) habitable rooms an outdoor spaces allowfor solar admission and sun access duringthe shortest winter day (As a guide habit-able rooms for at least 70 percent of theunits should receive sun access for a mini-mum of three hours between 9 am and 3pm on the winter solstice (June 21);

(ii) glazing is of sufficient size and appropri-ately located to allow natural light intorooms to allow daily activities to occurwithout the need for artificial lighting;

(iii) design devices such as overhangs, verticalscreens, heat absorbing materials (such astiles) and reflective glass are used to help toregulate summer and winter solar gain andprovide passive sources of heating;

(iv) apartments have adequate ceiling heightsand appropriate depths to maintain apart-ment amenity by allowing daylight penetra-tion.


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Visual PrivacyVisual privacy relates to design of apartments toprovide for the privacy of residents andneighbouring sites.

Acoustic PrivacyAcoustic privacy is important for the well-being ofresidents living in apartments. Noise sources areboth internal and external. The requirements of theBuilding Act 2004 will ensure common elements ofan apartment development are constructed toprevent unacceptable noise transmission to thehabitable spaces of household units.

Managing internal noise can be minimised byensuring the layout of the apartment providesseparation for noise sensitive sleeping and livingareas from noise sources such as a kitchen orlaundry in the same or adjoining apartment.

Other sources of noise include (but are not limitedto):

(i) Lift shafts, stairwells, common circulationareas;

(ii) vehicle parking, driveways and securitydoors;

(iii) service ducts or equipment areasincluding pump maintenance, airconditioning and garbage chutes andcollection areas;

(iv) active recreational areas - swimmingpools, spas, barbeque areas and tenniscourts in the development.

External noise sources can be from high noisetransport routes and entertainment activities intown centres or nearby industrial areas. Issues ofreverse sensitivity are addressed by requiring allapartments to comply with the City Wide NoiseRule 1.10 - Residential Activities - NoiseAttenuation.

B13 Reasonable levels of privacy should bemaintained between the main indoor andoutdoor living areas of the Apartment.Windows and balconies should be designed toreduce overlooking of the private open spacein the same or an adjoining Apartment Building.Proposals will be assessed in terms of the useof architectural devices such as screens, orwindow positioning and dimensions that areintegrated with the building design withoutadverse effect on amenity for residents orneighbours.


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ELEMENT CBuilding Entries, Circulation and MailboxesThe design and layout of Apartment Building entriesshould achieve identity and visibility, shelter,security and potential for disabled persons’ access inaddition to appropriate placement of mail boxesand provision for the movement of furniture into anapartment.

Apartment Building entries need to be clearlyidentifiable and provide simple, safe, secure anddirect access for both residents and visitors.

The main objective for common circulation areas isto ensure they have a high level of amenity allowingfor ease of movement for people and theirpossessions and for personal safety. Minimumdimensions are specified as a guide and lighting andventilation should be considered.

Long corridors should be avoided.

For proposals departing from the guidelines abovethere will need to be specific reasons and a very highlevel of amenity demonstrated.

SafetyThe form of urban development can influence theuse of public space and perceptions of safety andsecurity as well as actual opportunities for crime.The purpose of these design criteria are to ensurethat development minimises opportunities for

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APARTMENT BUILDINGSDESIGN CRITERIAC1 Lobbies and common or shared corridors to

apartments should be designed as follows:

(i) Lobbies minimum dimension 2.0 metres inany direction; and

(ii) Corridors providing access to a maximumof 5 apartments - a minimum width of 1.2metres; or

(iii) Corridors providing access to 6 or moreapartments - a minimum width of 1.6metres.

C2 The design should provide for:

(i) Legible and visible entrances from roadwith residential activity entrances beingseparated from non-residential activities inmixed use developments;

(ii) Secure access to the building, car parkingarea and communal areas;

(iii) Appropriate lighting of building entries,common area corridors and access fromcar parking;

(iv) For furniture delivery and removal fromapartments to be easily undertaken;

(v) Appropriate weather protection;

(vi) Accessible mailboxes for residents anddelivery services, located in a safe, secureand well-lit location;

(vii) Provision for communal paper recyclingfacilities adjacent to the mailboxes forunwanted circulars;

(viii)A safety audit for personal security andsafety.

C3 The design should:

(i) Ensure that living spaces of apartmentsfront and maintain views over roads andopen spaces to provide passive surveil-lance;


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crime. Apartment Buildings need to provide a safe andsecure environment for residents and visitors.

Opportunities for crime can be minimised byproviding safe and controlled ground level entryand exit into apartment buildings at all times of theday and night. Passive surveillance from apartmentsand any other uses in the ApartmentBuilding and clearly delineating public and privateareas are other methods of creating saferenvironments.

The Crime Prevention Through EnvironmentalDesign guidelines are a good reference fordesigners.

Building FacilitiesTo protect occupants from exposure tounacceptable effects, appropriately locate and designshared facilities to provide for rubbish collectionand service connections.

(ii) Minimise or avoid high solid fences andwalls along roads;

(iii) Provide secure access to the building, carparking areas and communal areas;

(iv) Provide appropriate lighting of buildingentries, corridors and access from car park-ing areas;

(v) Include a safety audit for personal securityand safety, Crime Prevention ThroughEnvironmental Design, and access foryounger and older residents, and those withdisabilities provided that only apartmentswith access to lifts must allow for fullwheelchair access.

Rubbish and Recycling Facilities andCollection

C4 Rubbish and recycling facilities should beprovided within each apartment building by:

(i) Designing and locating facilities to mini-mise adverse impacts on the streetscape;

(ii) Providing convenient and practical accessfor residents and for collection vehicles;

(iii) Locating facilities to avoid adverse impacton resident amenity, in particular when thewaste is being collected, and from odour,litter and visual impacts;

(iv) Accommodating appropriately sized facili-ties for the potential waste and recyclingneeds of the residents and total number ofunits in the building;

(v) Separating waste into disposal and recy-cling bins (including the full range of recy-clable materials and organic waste);

(vi) Managing a regular public or private collec-tion;

(vii) Designing well ventilated, durable, water-proof, and rodent proof facilities;

(viii)Providing facilities with water and drainagefor cleaning and maintenance.


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Building MaintenanceBuilding design and construction should facilitateregular and easy maintenance. This is not a reasonfor plain buildings with uninteresting facades andno articulation. Instead it requires both the use ofgood quality durable building materials for theexterior cladding and for the surfacing of commonareas within the building in conjunction with theprovision of good building maintenance systems.The design of an Apartment Building will beconsidered in relation to the relevant design criteriain C6.

Site and Building ManagementThe ownership arrangements of most apartmentbuildings and developments are established underthe Unit Titles Act 1972 (or any subsequentamendment thereof). Day to day management ofcommonly owned property in the building isadministered by a body corporate or other legalentity representing all owners. The body corporatesets annual fees to cover matters such as insurance,maintenance, administration and propertymanagement. Building managers can be employedand some building managers live on site.

The Council as the consent authority has an interestin ensuring that an appropriate system ofmanagement is put in place for apartment buildingsto minimise potential adverse effects arising due topoorly maintained buildings or inadequatemanagement.

Therefore a condition of any resource consent thatis issued may require the establishment of a BodyCorporate or other legal entity to address the

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ICT Infrastructure

C5 Where possible provide each apartment withthe ability to access a Broadband standard ofcommunications infrastructure.

Building Maintenance

C6(i) Utilise good quality durable building mate-

rials for the interior surfaces of the com-mon areas and for exterior cladding;

(ii) Facilitate easy and cost effective buildingmaintenance of parking and rubbish stor-age/collection areas with access to powersupply and outdoor taps;

(iii) Secure storage facilities which may includeprovision for maintenance and cleaningmaterials;

(iv) Allocate a car parking space for the build-ing manager, if provision is made for abuilding manager and/or maintenance andcleaning service providers.

C7 The body corporate or other legal entityshould provide appropriate managementsystems for the proposed development.


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proposed management systems for the ApartmentBuildings relating to the following matters:• type of management - employment of an onsite

manager or use of building management firm;• the regular maintenance (Maintenance Plan and

Schedule), repair and renewal throughout thelifetime of the apartment complex ofinfrastructure and amenities for use by theresidents including (without limitation)gymnasiums, spa pools, swimming pools,outdoor gardens, courtyards, tennis courts,drainage and planted vegetation;

• rubbish collection services;• cleaning; and• site security

StormwaterThis relates to the potential for landscape design toenhance and integrate the development into thesurrounding neighbourhood, and create a qualityliving environment. The specific response will relate tothe location because there will be limitedopportunities in town centre locations, but mayrequire accommodating existing protected trees.

Landscape TreatmentThe opportunity for landscaping will depend on thenature of the development. Landscaping may behard or soft or a combination of both depending onthe location and opportunities to providelandscaping within the structure of the building.Larger sites may have ground level areas held incommon for passive recreation, or ground levelapartments may have their own private outdoorareas.

For larger developments that are staged, theproposed landscaping needs to be established priorto the occupation of buildings in the associateddevelopment stage in order to provide the necessaryscreening or mitigation of the development. Detailsof the implementation and/or and maintenance of

C8 The design should:

(i) Attenuate, treat and reuse storm waterwithin the site;

(ii) Provide water saving devices such as lowflow shower heads;

(iii) Utilise storm water for landscaping or gar-dens within the site and or development;

(iv) Be in accordance with an Integrated Catch-ment Management Plan.

C9 A landscaping plan will be required for allapplications for apartment developments.

C10 The design of the proposed landscaping plan:

(i) Is an integrated design that

incorporates the site development withthe character of the adjoining land andany existing vegetation or trees;

(ii) Provides plant types that are

(iii) appropriate to the site, locality, and theirongoing growth;

(iv) Provides semi-permeable surfaces

(v) where appropriate, to paved areas to assistwith rainwater drainage;


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landscaping should be provided with applicationsfor resource consent.

Car Parking and Vehicle AccessThe design and layout of driveways for resident andvisitor car parking should achieve convenient, safeand attractive vehicle access.

There will be different car parking and drivewaystandards for Apartment Buildings depending on theirlocation with respect to town centres and publictransport nodes to encourage the use of publictransport.

Where vehicle parking is to be provided it shall bedesigned to avoid unattractive gaps in the streetfrontage. Access from a service lane should also beconsidered. Underground parking or parking on anupper floor level of the building is also possible.

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(vi) Provides opportunities for residents to cre-ate their own small gardens such as theprovision of planter boxes;

(vii) Enhances energy efficiency by locatingdeciduous trees in locations where they canprovide shade in summer to west facingbalconies and windows;

(viii)Includes an implementation and mainte-nance schedule outlining the methodology(including site works and construction) tobe undertaken for the establishment of theproposed landscaping on the site and itsongoing care.

C11 Car Parking and LoadingThe design should ensure:

(i) Sufficient car parks are provided on sitefor residents and visitors;

(ii) Car parking areas are secure, well lit andconveniently accessible for residents;

(iii) Car parks are located behind buildings (notvisible from the street) or in semi or fullbasements to preserve an uninterruptedstreetscape;

C12 AccessThe design should ensure:

(i) Access ways and driveways avoid adverseimpacts on the visual quality of thestreetscape;

(ii) Access is by rear service lanes in town cen-tres;

(iii) Ramps to basements, including transitionspaces are located within the propertyboundary and avoid effects on the func-tioning of the street and its visual qualities;

(iv) Security gates are located within propertyboundaries to ensure queuing vehicles canwait within the property, maintaining unin-terrupted pedestrian, cyclist and vehiclemovements along the street and footpath.

C13 Parking for Mixed Use and ApartmentDevelopment

(i) Separation or clear demarcation for the carparking, vehicle access, loading and service


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Mixed Use DevelopmentsThe provision for non residential and residentialactivities in the same Apartment Building ordevelopment requires design solutions to ensurethat the non-residential activities do not adverselyimpact on the amenity and security of residents.

areas of non-residential tenants from resi-dential car parking spaces (if provided).

(ii) Security for residential carparks (if pro-vided).

C14 Alternative Provision for Parking forApartmentsAlternative parking arrangements such ascomplementary parking utilising parkingspaces for adjoining commercial activities,which operate at different times, or kerbsideparking, will be considered.Conditions of consent where parking is notprovided for apartments may include placingConsent Notices on titles to prevent thefuture conversion of apartments to other useswhich require car parking, or to ensure onlycompatible activities locate in thedevelopment.

C15 Bicycle ParkingProvision of bicycle parking/storage will beconsidered with all apartment developments,and is required in the followingcircumstances:

(i) Where parking standards are reduced;

(ii) For developments located in town centres,and in the case of mixed use developmentsthis may include provision for employeesworking in the building.

C16 Parking/Storage for bicycles should providefor the following:

(i) A rail to which the bicycle frame and bothwheels can be locked, or parking/storage;

(ii) A locked enclosure or cage accessed by res-idents only;

(iii) A fully enclosed bicycle locker;

(iv) Appropriate visitor bicycle parking

C17 The following matters will be considered inassessing the suitability of proposed mixeduse buildings or developments:

(i) The design should avoid, remedy or mitigatepotential adverse effects (from non-residen-tial activities located within the building ordevelopment) on the amenity of residential


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activities located within the same building ordevelopment by addressing the following:

(a) Provision of noise attenuation to theresidential units from activities in mixeduse areas. Refer City Wide General NoiseStandard Rule 1.10 - Residential Activities -Noise Attenuation for acoustic requirements;

(b) Controlling odour from non-residentialactivities. (Also refer CommunityEnvironment Rule 10 Air Discharges);

(c) Provision of appropriate facilities for wastestorage and collection for non-

(d) residential activities provision of theconvenient location of facilities for rubbishcollectors. This includes managing the timeof the day when collection occurs;

(e) Separation of clear demarcation for carparking, vehicle access, loading, and serviceareas for non-residential tenants fromresidential car parking (if provided; and

(f) Security for residential car parks (if provided.


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RULES2.0 General Performance Standards

The following performance standards shall apply toSite Analysis.

2.1 Standards for Site Analysis

(Note: refer to the relevant Human Environment Rules forPermitted Activity or resource consent status):

(a) All applications involving the construction ofnew buildings or additions over 100m² grossfloor area providing for retail development,mixed use, apartments and medium densityhousing must be accompanied by the following:

(i) A detailed site and neighbourhood analysisof the area within a 400m radius of the sitewhich documents the existing built formand identified future desirable character ofthe site and surrounding neighbourhood.

(ii) A design response which explains how thedesign of the proposed development hasresponded to the existing and proposedneighbourhood character and satisfies thesite analysis and policies and objectives ofthe District Plan.

The site analysis shall include:

(i) Plans at a recognised and readable scale,North Point, boundaries and dimensionsto be shown.

(ii) Contours at 0.5metre intervals with spotlevels shown at strategic points on theexternal site boundaries.

(iii) Site plan of existing physical conditionsaccurately detailing all buildings, fencesvegetation and paved surfaces on the site.The outline of existing buildings on adjoin-ing sites where they are adjacent to or onthe boundary should be detailed. Heightand dripline of vegetation on and over-hanging the site is to be detailed.

(iv) Location and extent of all Natural Areas orother special features, as shown on the Dis-trict Plan Maps.

(v) Existing driveways vehicle crossing details,in addition to footpath, kerb and carriage-way details adjacent to the site, should beshown. Other street features such as trees,

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA(Note: Refer to the relevant Human Environmentrules for resource consent status.)

2(a)

The extent to which the design response for theproposal ensures that the location, scale and designof the development will complement amenity valuesand neighbourhood character.

2(b)

The extent to which the buildings are compatible withthe size of the site.

2(c)

The extent to which buildings have regard to andwhere possible incorporate natural features on oraround the site.

2(d)

The extent to which the design of buildingsminimises the need for earthworks and alteration tothe topography of the site and avoids abruptchanges to ground levels at the boundary withadjoining sites or the street frontage.

2(e)

The extent to which proposed landscaping relates tothe retention of vegetation on the site, street trees orplanting and landscaping on adjoining land.

2(f)

The extent to which the design of buildings andassociated features provide for, or connect to,pedestrian linkages on adjoining sites.

2(g)

The extent to which connections to services areintegrated into the development of the site.

2(h)

The extent to which the site development minimisesadverse aural and visual effects of access and parkingand rubbish storage/facilities on residential activitieswithin the site or on adjoining sites.

2(i)

The extent to which opportunities for sharingvehicle access or car parking with adjoining sites toreduce vehicle crossings on the street frontage areconsidered.

(2j)

The extent to which the design and location ofbuildings avoids creating adverse effects such as

RULE 2 SITE ANALYSIS RULE

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street lights, transformers, relationship/access to public transport, fire hydrantsshould be shown or detailed.

(vi) Location and use of sites, buildings andstructures, including the height of walls,fences and retaining walls along site bound-aries.

(vii) Abutting main private open spaces andhabitable room windows which have out-looks towards the subject site, service areasand the like.

(viii)Accurately plotted services - as-built drain-age (i.e. stormwater and sanitary sewer net-works).

(ix) All existing easements, building line restric-tions, and road widening designationsshould be shown.

(x) Views to and from the site should benoted.

(xi) Potential noise sources should be identi-fied.

(xii) Community facilities and distance via theexisting movement network should benoted (i.e. corner shop, bus stop, parks,schools).

(xiii)Contaminated soils and areas of uncertifiedfill on the site should be identified.

(xiv)Any notable natural features or heritagefeatures should be identified.

(xv) Extent of any proposed building demoli-tion.

Assessment of Controlled/Limited Discretionary/Discretionary Activity applications will be limited tomatters of location, design, screening and plantingand will be considered in accordance withAssessment Criteria 2(a)-(2(j).

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large blank walls on the outlook from adjoining sitesand transport corridors.

RESOURCE CONSENT CONDITIONSIn granting a resource consent Council may imposeconditions. Conditions may include any one ormore of the following matters:• Requiring alterations to design and/or location

on the site;• Requiring the retention of trees and/or other

vegetation;• Requiring provision for outdoor space;• Requiring the provision of a landscape treatment

plan and implementation of that plan within agiven time;

• Limiting the bulk and scale of activities and otherdevelopment;

• The imposition of a bond to ensure satisfactionof conditions of consent;

• Requiring financial contributions in accordancewith the Plan;

• Requiring onsite or offsite works and services toavoid, remedy, mitigate or offset adverse effects;

Such other matters provided for in section 108 ofthe Act.


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NOTE:1. If an activity is not controlled or restricted in any
way by any part of the Plan it is permitted, but may require consents under other legislation/plans.

2. Activities must comply with all other relevant rulesof the Plan or be the subject of a resource con-sent. Check all other rules in this Human Environ-ment and also the Natural Area Rules, the City-Wide Rules (including General InformationRequirements), and where relevant, theSubdivision Rules.


4. Words in bold are explained - see the Explana-tions part of the Introduction to the Rules.

5. The Council may have a guideline to help interpretthis rule - check at the Council Offices.


7. Applicants for medium density housing, mixed useand development in town centres should have apre-application meeting with Council staff todiscuss the application prior to lodging. This pro-cess should identify potential design issues.


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RULES3.0 General Performance Standards

The following performance standards apply to StreetTypologies except that these standards shall not applywhere minor additions and alterations are proposedto existing buildings.

3.1 Limited Discretionary Activities

Buildings and development on sites meeting thefollowing performance standards listed in respect ofeach street typology are Limited Discretionary Activities.Street typologies are identified in respect of each site onan Urban Concept Plan, Human Environment map or anapproved Comprehensive Development Plan:

A. Town Centre - ‘Town Centre & MainstreetTypology 1’

Note: This typology applies to existing towncentres.

Buildings and development on sites where:(i) Buildings:

• have a minimum of two storeys of useablefloorspace (above the finished level of thestreet and may include atriums or arcadeentries);

• are built up to and are continuous for the fullwidth of the site’s street frontage.

• are articulated for the full length of the site’sstreet frontage; and

• have a minimum of 60% active edge for thelength of the site’s street frontage;

provided that exceptions will be allowed where:

(a) an outdoor plaza is associated with thebuilding’s ground floor activities, providedthat it does not exceed 10 metres of thesite’s street frontage and has a maximumdepth from the street to the building of 10metres.

(b) where it can be shown that access cannotbe achieved by a rear service lane or from astreet not identified as Town Centre -Mainstreet Typology 1, no more than onevehicular access or new service lane for thesite not exceeding 3 metres in width.

(c) a recess is provided in the building frontagefor pedestrian entrances or lobbies.

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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA(Note: refer to the relevant Human Environmentrules for resource consent status and other assessmentcriteria that may apply to a particular resourceconsent application).

General - All Street Typologies

(Note: The following General assessment criterianeed to be considered in the context of the relevantstreet typology).

3(a)

The extent to which all development and buildingscontribute to high standards of design, pedestrianamenity, safe and attractive streets and public placesand assist in stimulating pedestrian activity by:(i) modulation and detailing of the building’s

structure through the use of architectural ele-ments;

(ii) emphasising vertical proportions in buildingfacades along the street frontage.

(iii) avoiding blank walls on street frontages. Thebuilding faced at ground floors, includingfrontage to plazas and Urban Open Spacesshould be articulated to have a predominanceof windows, doors and openings, or mitigatedusing appropriate landscape treatment whileupper floors should use windows, balconies andother articulations to create active streetfrontages. Shop front lighting should be pro-vided to assist night-time visibility and pedes-trian safety;

(iv) avoiding excessive earthworks (cut and fill)and retaining walls on the street frontage thataffect the continuity of active street front-ages, the visual appearance of the street front-age facade and the ease of pedestrian access tothe site;

(v) designing so that outdoor plazas and seatingareas associated with cafes and restaurantsenhance the streetscape. These should beopen to the street with limited use of wallsand changes in height to delineate the semipublic spaces, so as to maintain a visual con-nection between the activity and the street.

(vi) providing continuous weather protection forpedestrians where a site has street frontage to aTown Centre Mainstreet & Typology 1, Town Centre& Mainstreet Typology 2 or Town Centre - Transi-tional Commercial Typology 4 to provide amenityfor pedestrians;

(vii) providing active edges where appropriate;

RULE 3 BUILDING DESIGN - STREET FRONTAGE

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(d) an Urban Open Space is developed inaccordance with that identified on an UrbanConcept Plan or Approved ComprehensiveDevelopment Plan, and that area is frontedby buildings.

(ii) Buildings have a canopy across the full width ofthe street frontage of the building (except whereapproved vehicle access is provided) sufficientto provide weather protection for pedestriansand connection to canopies on adjoining sites orbuilding.

(iii) Buildings do not have residential activities atground level except for entrances, lobbies andaccess ways associated with residential activitieslocated on the upper floors.

B. Town Centre - ‘Town Centre & MainstreetTypology 2’

Note: This typology applies to new town centres.

Buildings and development on sites where:(i) Buildings:

• have a minimum of two storeys of useablefloorspace (above the finished level of thestreet and may include atriums or arcadeentries);

• are built up to and are continuous for thefull width of the street frontage of the site,

• are articulated for the full length of the site’sstreet frontage; and

• have a minimum of 60% active edge for thelength of the site’s street frontage.

Provided that exceptions will be allowed where:(a) an outdoor plaza is associated with the

building’s ground floor activities, providedthat it does not exceed 10- metres of thesite’s street frontage and has a maximumdepth from the street to the building of 10.0metres.

(b) a recess is provided in the building frontagefor pedestrian entrances or lobbies.

(c) There is no more than one vehicular accessor service lane not exceeding 6.0 metres inwidth per 50 metres of the street frontage,provided that no vehicle access shall bepermitted within the ‘Mainstreet’ identifiedon the Massey North Urban Concept Plan.

(d) an Urban Open Space area as developed inaccordance with that identified on an UrbanConcept Plan or Approved Comprehensive

(viii) with the exception of the Town Centre - Periph-ery Typology 6 and Town Centre - Residential 7Typology, designing car parking and loadingspaces to achieve:

(a) undercroft car parking where praticable,and the extent to which it has been takenadvantage of; and/or

(b) internalised car parking within blocks andprovide active street frontages in order tominimise visual effects and effects onamenity and where necessary employlandscape treatment; and\or

(c) the provision of shared car parking areas toserve multiple developments whereopportunities are available.

(ix) Where site adjoins:• an Open Space Environment;• pedestrian walkway;• reserve;• drainage/ecological open space;• Urban Open Space illustrated on an

Urban Concept Plan or ApprovedComprehensive Development Plan; or

• other public space,(x) providing for vehicular and pedestrian safety

while achieving appropriate amenity levels andactive street frontages.

(xi) incorporating ‘Crime Prevention ThroughEnvironmental Design; and ‘UniversalDesign’ principles.

(xii) Ensuring that, where a future frontage devel-opment area is proposed to be set aside toenable future development to achieve the out-comes specified within the appropriate Com-mercial or Transitional Commercial typologystandards, the future frontage development area:

(a) is suitably apportioned to provide anappropriate depth to enable futuredevelopment; and

(b) manages interim visual effects through theimplementation of a landscape treatmentplan including the appropriate elementsgiven it’s temporary nature; and

(c) is protected by appropriate legalmechanism to ensure that the delivery offuture development within the frontage zoneus not percluded.

(xiii) having regard to the design criteria for the rele-vant street typology set out in 3(h) - 3(l) below:


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Development Plan, and that area is frontedby buildings.

(ii) Buildings have a canopy across the full width ofthe street frontage of the building (except wherean approved vehicle access is provided) suffi-cient to provide weather protection for pedes-trians and connection to canopies on adjoiningsites or building.

(iii) Buildings do not have residential activities atground level, except for entrances, lobbies andaccess ways associated with residential activitieson the upper floors.

C. Town Centre - ‘Commercial Typology 3’

Note: This typology presently applies to existingtown centres.

(i) Buildings and development (other thn supermarketsand department stores on sites in the CommunityEnvironment with a site area greater than 1ha) where:

• Buildings are set back a maximum of 3 metresfrom the street.

• Buildings shall be a minimum 6.0m elevationheight along the street frontage;

• Buildings occupy at least 50% of the streetfrontage of the site.

• are articulated for the full length of thebuilding’s street frontage;

• have a minimum of 50% active edge forthelength of the building’s street frontage;

• The front yard (excluding driveways) isplanted in accordance with an approvedlandscape treatment plan.


(a) an outdoor plaza is associated with thebuilding’s ground floor activities, providedthat it does not exceed 10 metres of thesite’s street frontage and has a maximum depthfrom the street to the buildings of 10 metres.

(ii) Buildings and development involving supermarketsand department stores on sites in the communityEnvironment (New Lynn) with a site area greater than1ha where:

• Buildings shall be located within 3.0 meters ofthe street and shall occupy the whole of thestreet frontage, except that this standard shallnot apply to a total maximum of 80 metresof the length of the street frontage(s).

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3(b)

The extent to which outdoor storage areas should belocated, designed or screen to avoid creating adversevisual and odour effects on pedestrian amenity, roadsand adjoining sites.

3(c)

The extent to which building(s), parkingentranceways and footpaths are designed for ease ofaccess for the disabled, elderly and children.

3(d)

The extent to which more than minor adverse effectscan be avoided, remedied, mitigated or offsetthrough provision of works and services on or offthe site and / or through payment or provision of afinancial contribution.

3(e)

In the case of:Town Centre & Mainstreet (Typology 1 & 2), TownCentre - Commercial Typology 3; or Town Centre -Transitional Commercial Typology 4, the extent towhich Comprehensive Retail Developments with a grossfloor area greater than 10,000m2 (either by it self orin combination with existing buildings on the site)involving a shopping mall/multi tenancy complexactivity (which generally has shop frontagesinternally rather than externally focussed) shouldensure that:(i) street facades are sleeved by smaller building(s)

and activities to avoid blank walls and inactivefacades along street frontages. At least 50% ofthe facade should be treated in this way, withthe remaining facade articulated so as to avoidadverse visual effects. Continuous stretches ofblank walls should not exceed 10m in length.

(ii) developments on sites with street frontage toa Town Centre - Mainstreet Typology 1 andTown Centre - Mainstreet Typolohy 2 aredesigned and located so that there is at leastone main pedestrian entrance to the develop-ment, directly accessible from the street;

(iii) building height is sufficient to visually containthe street. Development should be a mini-mum of two storeys usable floor space inheight where it is within 10 meters of thestreet;

(iv) weather protection for pedestrians is providedalong any street frontage for pedestrian accessthrough or around the site;

(v) natural features are protected and recognisedin the development. Development should


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• Buildings shall be a maximum 6.0 metreselevation height along the full length of anybuilding elevation facing a street;

• Buildings are articulated for the full length ofany building elevation facing a street, exceptwhere the buildings have more than one streetfrontage, in which case that frontage of thebuilding containing a loading zone does notneed to be articulated;

• For buildings with a frontage to one street, aminimum of 50% active edge for the length ofthe building elevation facing the street; or

• For buildings with a frontage to more that onestreet, the street that the main pedestrianentrance of the building faces will have aminimum of 70% active edge for the length ofthe building elevation.

• Where buildings do not abut the streetboundary a minimum 2.0 meters wide frontyard shall be provided;

• The front yard (where not occupied bybuildings, driveways and pedestrian access) isplanted in accordance with any consentedlandscape treatment plan or with trees (capableof reaching 6 meters in height at a maximumspacing of 10 meters) shrubs andgroundcovers.

D. Town Centre - ‘Transitional CommercialTypology 4’

Note: This typology presently applies to new towncentres.

Building and development on sites where:

(i) Buildings;

• are built up to at least 80% of the length ofthe street frontage of the site; except thatbuildings along the street frontage of the DonBuck Road extension shall be at least 50% ofthe length of the street frontage only;

• shall be a minimum 6.0m elevation height alongthe street frontage;

• are articulated for the full length of thebuilding’s street frontage;

• have a minimum of 50% active edge for thelength of the building’s street frontage; and

relate to these features through the position-ing of entrances, windows and outdoor seat-ing and eating areas;

(vi) car parking, storage areas and vehicularaccesses are not located on a Town Centre -Mainstreet Typology 1 and Town Centre -Mainstreet Typology 2 frontage;

(vii) appropriate pedestrian access routes are incor-porated through the site, with these routesopen to the public as least during businesshours, helping to form part of the logicalpedestrian network within the Town Centre.

3(f)

The extent to which, for any development notmeeting the minimum building height where frontinga Town Centre - Mainstreet Typology 1 and Town Centre -Mainstreet Typology 2, there are exceptionalcircumstances relating to the nature of the activitythat would make upper storeys impractical.

Note: Double volume atriums and arcade entrancesare deemed to comply with building heightprovisions in Rules 3.1(A)(i) and 3.1(B)(i)

3(g)

The extent to which areas of open space, plazas,planting and street frontage treatment are used tocomplement and enhance the visual character andscale of buildings.

Town Centre & Mainstreet (Typology 1 & 2),or Town Centre - Transitional CommercialTypology 4

3(h)

Wether development with street frontage to Town Centre& Mainstreet Typology 1, Town Centre & MainstreetTypology 2 and Town Centre - Transitional CommercialTypology 4 should:

(i) carefully designed to limit their adverse effect onpedestrian activity, and where appropriate pro-vide limited vehicle crossing over footpaths.In the Massey North Town Centre Special Area,service lanes should be provided within urbanblocks in accordance with the Urban ConceptPlan or an Approved Comprehensive Devel-opment Plan to allow access to the rear ofbuildings, minimising gaps in the streetscape;

(ii) provide the main pedestrian entrance to thebuilding directly accessible from the street.Where the building fronts two different typesof street the main pedestrian entrance should


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• the front yard (excluding driveways) isplanted in accordance with any approvedlandscape treatment plan.


(a) There shall be no more than one vehicularaccess or service lane not exceeding6.0metres in width per 50 metres of thestreet or per site unless it can bedemonstrated in a technical reportsubmitted to Council and prepared bysuitably qualified traffic engineering andurban design experts that the safe,attractive, and efficient movement ofpedestrians across and along the vehicularaccess or service lane will be maintained, inwhich case the maximum width of thevehicular access or service lane shall be normore than 10 metres.


(c) an outdoor plaza is associated with thebuilding’s ground floor activities, providedthat it does not exceed 10 meters of thesite’s street frontage and has a maximum depthfrom the street to the building of 10 meters

(i) Buildings have a canopy across the street frontage ofthe building (except where approved vehicle accessis provided) sufficient to provide weatherprotection for pedestrians and connection tocanopies on adjoining sites or premises.

E. Town Centre - ‘Mixed Use’ Typology 5

Buildings and development on sites where:

(i) Buildings:

• have a minimum of two storeys of useable floorspace

• are setback a maximum of 1.5 metres from the street;

• are continuous for the full width of that site’s street frontage and adjoin adjacent buildings.

Provided that exceptions will be allowed where:

(a) there is no more than one vehicularaccess not exceeding 6.0 metres inwidth, per 50 metres of the street or per site;


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be located on the facade fronting the TownCentre & Mainstreet Typology 1 or 2.

Town Centre - Commercial Typology 3

3(j)

Development with street frontage to a Town Centre -Commercial Typology 3 should:(i) ensure car parking, manoeuvring and loading

areas and site access do not dominate thestreetscape and pedestrian environment orresult in the building being inappropriately dis-tant from the street;

(ii) provide the main pedestrian entrance to thebuilding directly accessible from the street.

(iii) design and implement a landscape treatment planto soften the dominance and visual appear-ance to the street and pedestrian environmentof parking areas, manoeuvring areas and build-ings while ensuring planting:

(a) comprises trees rather than shrubs orother low profile vegetation;

(b) does not have a detrimental effect on thesafe and efficient movement ofpedestrians and vehicles around the siteand between the site and thesurrounding road network;

(c) does not adversely effect sight lines atintersections between internal routesand entrances and exits from the site.

And, the extent to which buildings and developmentinvolving supermarkets and department stores onsites in the Community environment (New Lynn) with asite area greater than 1ha:

(iv) supermarkets and department stores may beset back from the street frontage, provided thatadverse effects on the street environment areavoided, remedied or mitigated through sitelayout, design of buildings, and landscaping in amanner that contributes to the built form out-come anticipated by the applicable Street Typol-ogy.

(v) enable the potential for future buildings to abutthe street when a car parking area occupies morethan 50m of street frontage.

(vi) address cumulative effect of areas of car park-ing visible from streets considering the existingdevelopment on neighbouring sites.


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F. Town Centre - ‘Periphery Typology 6’

(i) Buildings and development on sites where:

(a) The front yard (excluding driveways) andcar parking areas are planted in accordancewith an approved landscape treatment plan.

G. Town Centre - ‘Residential Typology 7’

Buildings and development on sites where:

(i) Buildings are set back no greater than 3 metresfrom the street, except that garages and carportsfronting a street shall be setback a minimum of5 metres from the street; and

(ii) The front yard (excluding driveways) and carparking areas are planted in accordance with anapproved landscape treatment plan.

Assess of Limited Discretionary Activityapplications under this rule will be limited tomatters of scale, design, heoght, appearance, andlandscape treatment and will be assessed having regardto Assessment Criteria (3(a) - 3(l) where they arerelevant.

3.2 Discretionary Activities

NOTES:1. For the Street Frontage Rule please refer to

Rule 5A Building Design - Street Frontage - NewLynn of the Community Environment, or Rule 21Hobsonville Base Village Special Area, or Rule25 Hobsonville Village Centre Special Area, orRule 26 Massey North Town Centre SpecialArea, all of the Special Areas Rules.

2. If an activity is not controlled or restricted in anyway by any part of the Plan it is permitted, butmay require consents under other legislation/plans.

3. Activities must comply with all other relevantrules of the Plan or be the subject of a resourceconsent. Check all other rules in this HumanEnvironment and also the Natural Area Rules,the City-Wide Rules and, where relevant, theSubdivision Rules.


5. Words in bold are explained - see the Explana-tions part of the Introduction to the Rules.

6. The Council may have a guideline to help inter-pret this rule - check at the Council Offices.


8. words in italicised and bold are defined andexplained - see the Definitions part of the CityWide Rules; and the Explanations part of theIntroduction to the Rules.

Town Centre - Mixed Use Typology 5

3(j)

Development with street frontage to Town Centre - MixedUse Typology 5 should:(i) be built with a minimal setback to the street

for the entire length of the street frontage of thesite. Vehicles access should be shared betweenbuildings to reduce gaps in the streetscape andservice lanes should be provided within urbanblocks in accordance with the Urban ConceptPlan or an Approved Comprehensive Devel-opment Plan.

Town Centre -j Periphery Typology 6

3(k)

The extent to which development with street frontage toa Town Centre - Periphery Typology 6 should developstreet frontages indicated by the ‘primary’ and‘secondary’ streets shown on an ApprovedComprehensive Development Plan or UrbanConcept Plan:(i) by minimising the impact of car parking and

servicing on ‘primary’ Periphery streets by:• locating loading, servicing and associated

manoeuvring areas behind buildings; and• Landscape treatment

(ii) for ‘secondary’ Periphery streets by screeningand/or landscape treatment.

(iii) a landscape treatment plan to soften the domi-nance and visual appearance to the streetand pedestrian environment of parking areas,manoeuvring areas and buildings while ensur-ing that planting:

(a) comprises trees rather than shrubs or otherlow profile vegetation;

(b) provides for planting of any front yardbetween the building and the street;

(c) provides a planted strip between the carparking areas (excluding driveways) and thestreet suitably sized for trees capable ofgrowing to maturity;

(d) provides planting for areas of uncovered atgrade car parking with 1 specimen tree forevery 6 car parking spaces.

(e) does not have a detrimental effect on thesafe and efficient movement of pedestriansand vehicles around the site and betweenthe site and the surrounding road network;

(f) does not adversely effect sight lines atintersections between internal routes andentrances and exits from the site.


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Buildings and development on sites not meeting theperformance standards in Rule 3.1 A-G.

Discretionary Activity applications under this rulewill be assessed having regards to AssessmentCriteria 3(a) - 3(l) and such other matters that arerelevant under section 104 of the Act.

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Town Centre - Residential Typology 7

3(l)

Development with street frontage to a Town Centre -Residential Typology 7 should:(i) provide opportunities for passive surveillance

of the street from habitable rooms (Groundfloor Apartments, where adjoining the street,have glazing from a habitable room such as akitchen, living or dining room overlooking thestreet).

(ii) ensure car parking, manoeuvring and loadingareas and site access do not dominate thestreetscape and pedestrian environment orresult in the apartment building being distantfrom the street;

(iii) ensure retaining walls do not dominate thestreetscape and pedestrian environment orreduce opportunities for passive surveillance;

(iv) ensure that where buildings adjoin the street,have the main pedestrian entrance directlyaccessible from the street;

(v) design and implement a landscape treatment planto soften the visual appearance of parkingareas, manoeuvring areas and buildings whileensuring that planting;

(a) comprises trees rather than shrubs orother low profile vegetation;

(b) does not have a detrimental effect on thesafe and efficient movement ofpedestrians and vehicles around the siteand between the site and thesurrounding road network;

(c) does not adversely effect sight lines atintersections between internal routes andentrances and exits from the site.

Note see also policies: 1.15, 4.1, 10.3, 10.5, 10.6, 10.8, 10.27, 11.3, 11.8, 11.10, 11.14, 11.15, 11.16, 11.17, 11.19, 11.35, 11.36, 11.37A, 11.37B, 11.38, 11.41, 11.44, 11.45, 11.46, 11.48, 11.49.Policy Section of the Waitakere District Plan)


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RESOURCE CONSENT CONDITIONSIn granting a resource consent Council may imposeconditions. Conditions may include any one ormore of the following matters:• Building height;• Building design and location;• The location and design of vehicle access,

including driveways and service lanes;• The design and location of car parking;• Requiring the provision of a landscape treatment

plan and implementation of that plan within agiven time;

• Specifying the design and location of planting;• Specifying the species, height and density of

planting;• Provision for weather protection;• Limiting the bulk and scale of activities and other

development;• The imposition of a bond to ensure satisfaction

of conditions of consent;• Requiring financial contributions in accordance with

the Plan;• Requiring onsite or offsite works and services to

avoid, remedy, mitigate or offset adverse effects;• Such other matters provided for in section 108

of the Act.


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