Page 747 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 26 February 2013
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Variation 306 proposes to introduce amended residential objectives, development tables and codes, an amended estate development code and a new lease variation general code. Many of the initiatives included in the variation were initially presented to the public for comment through draft variations 301 and 303. These two draft variations were withdrawn and replaced by draft variation 306 on 3 June 2011.
The residential zone objectives have been revised to better differentiate between zones, to more fully describe the “desired character” of urban development in each zone and to recognise the importance of good solar access.
Changes are proposed to the residential zones development tables which include expanding the list of development under the code track to include certain types of lease variations, amending terms in the merit track list to reflect changes to definitions associated with this variation and transferring two items from the prohibited list to the impact track. Notes have been added to acknowledge the role of leases in the regulation of land use in the territory and clarify the codes that are relevant to a particular development proposal.
The variation introduces a new residential zones development code that is the overarching code for all development in residential zones. This code contains provisions transferred from other codes, in particular part D of the current residential zones multi-unit housing development code, without significantly altering the underlying policy.
The major policy change in the new residential zones development code is the introduction of secondary residences that replace the current “relocatable units” and “habitable suites”. An application for a secondary residence can be made only if it is associated with a single dwelling on a block over 500 square metres. While the floor area of the secondary residence is restricted to 75 square metres, there is no restriction on the type of occupant. This policy will increase housing options in the ACT and improve housing affordability, and has been strongly supported by the community
The current residential zones single residential housing development code is being replaced by a new single dwelling housing development code. All rules and criteria have been reviewed and many reworded for clarity and consistency. The major policy change is the introduction of solar access provisions that limit overshadowing of neighbouring residential properties. This is known as a solar fence. I will say more about this a little later.
Variation 306 also includes a new multi-unit housing development code. As well as incorporating many of the same changes as the single dwelling housing development code, including the new solar fence provisions, variation 306 introduces new restrictions on residential redevelopment in the RZ2 zone. In response to community concern about multi-unit development in the RZ2 areas, provisions have been introduced that limit the number of dwellings permitted on a site, limit consolidation and limit the number of dwellings in any building on the site to four. New provisions also apply to the configuration of car parking spaces. These provisions have had interim effect since June 2011.
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