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Residential Design Guidelines

Stud Park (Stage 2)

Structure Plan

Pilot Project

June 2010

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Contents 1 PURPOSE OF THESE GUIDELINES 2 2 HOW TO USE THESE GUIDELINES 3 2.1 Change Areas 3 2.2 Housing Types 4 2.3 Design Elements and Standards 4 3 THE CHANGE AREAS 5 3.1 Limited Change 5

3.1.1 Criteria ..................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1.2 Preferred Future Character ..................................................................................................... 5 3.1.3 Housing types.......................................................................................................................... 5

3.2 Incremental Change 6 3.2.1 Criteria ..................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2.2 Preferred Future Character ..................................................................................................... 6 3.2.3 Housing types.......................................................................................................................... 6

3.3 Moderate Change 7 3.3.1 Criteria ..................................................................................................................................... 7 3.3.2 Preferred Future Character ..................................................................................................... 7 3.3.3 Housing types.......................................................................................................................... 7

3.4 Substantial Change 8 3.4.1 Criteria ..................................................................................................................................... 8 3.4.2 Preferred Future Character ..................................................................................................... 8 3.4.3 Housing types.......................................................................................................................... 8

3.5 Summary of the change areas and preferred housing types 9 4 HOUSING TYPES 10 4.1 Detached Dwelling 11 4.2 Dual Occupancy 13 4.3 Villa Units 15 4.4 Townhouses 19 4.5 Apartments/Mixed Use 21 5 HOW WILL THESE GUIDELINES BE IMPLEMENTED? 25 6 GLOSSARY 26 7 APPENDICES 30 Appendix 1 – Table of design standards 30 8 REFERENCES 31

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1 PURPOSE OF THESE GUIDELINES Melbourne’s population is growing and changing. It is expected to reach 5 million by 2030, which is faster than previously anticipated. Growth is being driven by a high number of births, comparatively low losses of population interstate and increased overseas migration. The suburbs of Knox are also changing, with more people and more households expected in the future. The types of households will also change; meaning a greater variety of different housing types will be needed. For example, by 2030, suburbs that currently have mainly young families will have more retirees looking to downsize and young singles and couples starting out. This will mean a greater demand for smaller houses in some areas. A balanced approach to the provision of housing is required to ensure that the housing needs of current and future residents in Knox are met while the character of local neighbourhoods is respected and retained. It is State Government and Council policy to concentrate the majority of new housing required in activity centres and along the Principal Public Transport Network (PPTN) because of their good access to services and infrastructure. While this will mean change in these areas, it should result in less development pressure on established residential areas outside activity centres and the PPTN, where protection of neighbourhood character is important. Residential Design Guidelines have been prepared by a planning consultancy firm, The Planning Group, for Knox City Council to provide a framework for future residential development in Knox. At this stage, the Guidelines only apply to the pilot study area of the Stud Park Major Activity Centre and part of the surrounding suburb of Rowville. In the longer term, it is intended to prepare and apply similar Guidelines based on the pilot to all residential areas in the City of Knox. The Guidelines aim to:

• Provide greater certainty to planning permit applicants and the broader community about the preferred location, type and design standards Council expects for new housing.

• Facilitate better quality, more sustainable residential development.

• Protect and enhance the City’s ‘leafy’ landscape character, particularly upper canopy trees.

• Facilitate increased housing densities in preferred locations in activity centres and along the PPTN.

• Protect the character of the majority of established residential areas in Knox, while allowing for some change to meet future needs.

• Protect sensitive areas with special characteristics such as heritage or vegetation of biological significance.

• Facilitate consolidation of lots.

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2 HOW TO USE THESE GUIDELINES The Guidelines will be used to inform and assess proposals for residential development (including mixed use development with a residential component) when a planning permit is required. It is expected that they will be used by developers, designers, Council planners and the broader local community. 2.1 Change Areas To provide for a variety of housing types that meet the needs of current and future residents, areas have been identified according to the amount of change that can be accommodated in the future. These are referred to as change areas in the Guidelines. As part of the pilot project, the change areas for the Stud Park Major Activity Centre and part of the surrounding suburb of Rowville have been mapped. This is shown on the map below:

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The designated change areas are Limited, Incremental, Moderate and Substantial. In the limited change areas, a lower intensity of development is allowed, with a gradual ‘scaling up’ in each change area to allow the greatest intensity of development in the substantial change areas. The change areas are described in more detail in the next section.

2.2 Housing Types The Guidelines identify five standard ‘housing types’ and the preferred types for each change area. The five housing types are detached dwelling, dual occupancy, villa units, townhouse and apartment/mixed use. Preferred characteristics for each housing type are described in more detail as text and as images, which show examples of how these types could look with a simplified street view and plan layout. Note: these are examples only. 2.3 Design Elements and Standards The Guidelines identify ten design elements that are critical to achieving the preferred type and form of development in the preferred change area. These are:

• Site coverage

• Housing ratio

• Front setbacks

• Private open space

• Maximum height

• Side and rear setbacks

• Garages/carports (walls on boundaries)

• Public access

• Canopy trees

• Boundary landscaping

Each design element contains one or more design standards that apply to development within each of the change areas. Appendix 1 contains a summary table of the standards. A more detailed description of each standard and how they should be applied is contained in the supporting report Residential Design Guidelines & Housing Capacity Analysis Pilot Project, 2009).

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3 THE CHANGE AREAS 3.1 Limited Change

3.1.1 Criteria

Limited change areas contain areas of heritage value, sites of biological significance or have been identified as having significant upper canopy vegetation which provides supporting habitat (including habitat corridors) to areas of biological significance.

3.1.2 Preferred Future Character

The preferred future character is low level change. Development within these areas should be of a lower intensity which preserves and enhances the heritage, environmental and/or landscape attributes. The older Bush and Garden Suburban areas (refer to Neighbourhood Character Clause 22.07 of the Knox Planning Scheme) with their rectilinear lot layout generally allow for efficient development layouts and solar orientation, a more efficient design, and potentially slighter higher yields than irregular blocks associated with court heads, cul-de-sacs and curvilinear streets. This should not be at the expense of setbacks which maximise opportunities for soft landscaping around developments, contributing to the environmental and landscape attributes of the neighbourhood. Development should be undertaken in a manner which protects the amenity of neighbouring residents and the immediate public realm. This can be achieved through appropriate levels of solar access, softening of the building bulk through landscaping that includes canopy trees and articulation of the built form. Private open space with a northern aspect is encouraged. The consolidation of lots can increase development yields, increase permeability through a more efficient building footprint and a reduction in the amount of paving, and provide larger landscaped setbacks that are able to accommodate a greater number of canopy trees.

3.1.3 Housing types

On single lots, one and two storey detached dwellings and dual occupancies are preferred. On large rectilinear and consolidated lots and lots with dual road frontage, dual occupancies and villa units up to two storeys are preferred. The following table sets out the encouraged housing types for single and consolidated lots.

Housing Types

Limited Detached Dwellings

Dual Occupancy Villa Units

Town Houses

Apartments / Mixed Use

Single lot

Consolidated lots

Preferred housing typologies

Permissible but not preferable

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3.2 Incremental Change

3.2.1 Criteria

Incremental change areas are those which are typically poorly serviced by the PPTN (e.g. the Smart Bus routes along Stud Road) and are beyond a reasonable walking distance of an Activity Centre. Within Knox there is a generally low level of coverage of the Principal Public Transport Network and a reliance on buses. In addition, large areas of Knox have poor walkability to Activity Centres, compounded in many areas by a curvilinear road network.


The preferred future character of areas of incremental change is a progressive low level of incremental change. Development should generally preserve and enhance the existing neighbourhood character and landscape setting. The older Bush and Garden Suburban areas (refer to Neighbourhood Character Clause 22.07 of the Knox Planning Scheme) with their rectilinear lot layout generally allow for efficient development layouts and solar orientation, more efficient design and potentially slighter higher yields than irregular blocks associated with court heads, cul-de-sacs and curvilinear streets. This should not be at the expense of setbacks which maximize opportunities for soft landscaping around developments, contributing to the landscape character of the neighbourhood. Development should be undertaken in a manner which protects the amenity of neighbouring residents and the immediate public realm. This can be achieved through appropriate levels of solar access, softening of the building bulk through landscaping that includes canopy trees and articulation of the built form. Private open space with a northern aspect is encouraged. The consolidation of lots is encouraged to increase development yield, increase permeability through a more efficient building footprint and a reduction in the amount of paving and to provide larger landscaped setbacks able to accommodate a greater number of canopy trees.

3.2.3 Housing types

On single lots, one and two storey detached dwellings and dual occupancies are preferred. On large rectilinear and consolidated lots, and lots with dual road frontage, dual occupancies, villa units and townhouses of up to two storeys (with potential for an additional roof top/attic level) are preferred. The following table sets out the encouraged housing types for single and consolidated lots.

Housing Types

Incremental Detached Dwellings


Town Houses


Single lot

Consolidated lots



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3.3 Moderate Change

3.3.1 Criteria

Moderate change areas are those which are typically part of Principal and Major Activity Centres, being within a 10 minute walk of the major shopping centre and/or within a 10 minute walk of a stop on the PPTN. Residential areas immediately abutting a local, district or regional park is also included.


The preferred future character of these areas is a progressive moderate level of change that encourages a mix of housing supporting the Activity Centre. Areas of moderate change will provide an appropriate transition from the surrounding residential areas (which generally have limited access to services and the PPTN and may contain areas of high landscape character) to higher density development within substantial change areas. Development should be undertaken in a manner which protects the amenity of neighbouring residents and the immediate public realm. This can be achieved through appropriate levels of solar access, softening of the building bulk through landscaping that includes canopy trees and articulation of the built form. Private open space with a northern aspect is encouraged; this may be supported by communal courtyards and roof gardens. The consolidation of lots is encouraged to increase development yields, encourage basement level car parking, and provide larger landscaped setbacks able to accommodate a greater number of canopy trees.

3.3.3 Housing types

On single lots, two storey dual occupancies and villa units (with potential for an additional roof top/attic level) and three storey town houses are preferred. On large rectilinear and consolidated lots, particularly within Activity Centres and lots with dual road frontage, two storey villa units (with potential for an additional roof top/attic level), three storey townhouses and apartments/mixed use up to four storeys are preferred. The following table sets out the encouraged housing types for single and consolidated lots.

Housing Types

Moderate Detached Dwellings


Town Houses


Single lot

Consolidated lots



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3.4 Substantial Change

3.4.1 Criteria

Substantial changes areas are within a 10 minute walk of the main shopping centre within a Principal or Major Activity Centre and/or have direct frontage to the PPTN. Lots can accommodate higher density development and have potential to be consolidated. Interfaces are less sensitive or can be adequately addressed by responding to these Guidelines.


The preferred future character of these areas is the highest level of change focused on areas with excellent access to facilities and services (Activity Centres) and public transport (located on the Principal Public Transport Network). It is important that development within areas of substantial change is designed to accommodate higher density housing. Within areas zoned for business type uses, the preference is for mixed use development that includes high density residential component. Development should be undertaken in a manner which protects the amenity of neighbouring residents and the immediate public realm. This can be achieved through appropriate levels of solar access, softening of the building bulk through landscaping that includes canopy trees and articulation of the built form. Private and communal open space is encouraged and may include a mix of outdoor living areas, courtyards, balconies and roof gardens. The consolidation of lots is encouraged to increase development yields, encourage basement level car parking, and provide larger landscaped setbacks able to accommodate a greater number of canopy trees.

3.4.3 Housing types

On single lots, two storey villa units (with potential for an additional roof top/attic level), three storey townhouses and apartments/mixed use of four storeys and more are preferred. On large rectilinear and consolidated lots, particularly within Activity Centres and lots with dual road frontage, three storey townhouses and apartments/mixed use of four storeys and more are preferred. The following table sets out the encouraged housing types for single and consolidated lots.

Housing types

Substantial Detached Dwellings


Town Houses


Single lot

Consolidated lots



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3.5 Summary of the change areas and preferred housing types

Housing Types

Detached Dwellings


Town Houses


Substantial

Single lot

Consolidated lots

Moderate

Single lot

Consolidated lots

Incremental

Single lot

Consolidated lots

Limited

Single lot

Consolidated lots

Limited Foothills

Single lot

Futu

re C

hang

e Ar

eas

Consolidated lots Subject to future strategic work (N/A for Rowville)



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4 HOUSING TYPES The following section describes the preferred characteristics for each housing type and show examples of how these types could look with a simplified street view and plan layout. Please note: these are examples only.

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4.1 Detached Dwelling

PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS:

Height and Form

One to two storeys with use of visually recessive second storey treatments.

Siting

Frontages 9 metres minimum front setback or street average. 2 metre side setback each side.

Site Coverage

Less than 50% limited change area, 60% incremental change area.

Carparking

Visually recessive carports/garages.

Private Open Space

Northern orientated gardens and courtyards.

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD)

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Sustainable Design Assessment.

Design Details

Setbacks and spaces which allow maximum provision for upper canopy tree species.

Materials & Finishes

Weatherboards, brick, block-work, glass and timber. Consider inclusion of green walls and roofs. Consider inclusion of materials from sustainable sources, including recycled.

Landscaping

Incorporation of large canopy trees. Incorporation of vertical (wall) and roof top gardens.

Avoid

No or limited landscaped setbacks. No or limited use of upper canopy tree species within landscaping. Lack of private/secluded open space for residents.

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4.2 Dual Occupancy


Height and Form

One to two storeys with use of visually recessive second storey treatments.

Siting

Frontages 9 metres minimum front setback or street average. Sides 2 metres minimum each side.

Site Coverage

Less than 50% limited change areas; 60% incremental change areas.

Carparking

Visually recessive carports/garages.

Private Open Space




Design Details


Materials & Finishes

Weatherboards, brick, block-work, glass, and timber. Consider inclusion of green walls and roofs. Consider inclusion of materials from sustainable sources, including recycled.

Landscaping

Incorporation of large canopy trees. Incorporation of vertical (wall) and roof top gardens.

Avoid

Visual dominance of driveways and garages. Poor outlooks from rear dwellings. Dual crossovers. High levels of impermeable surfaces. Narrow landscape strips and small landscaped areas which do not allow for upper canopy vegetation. Built form, materials and colours which do not respect the surrounding neighbourhood character. Front fences. Poor solar orientation. Lack of private/secluded open space for residents.

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4.3 Villa Units


Height and Form

One to two storeys. Roof top/attic style third storey in substantial and moderate change areas.

Siting

Frontage 7 metres minimum setback or street average in moderate change area. At least one side a 2 metre side setback. Upper levels set back to address overshadowing and over looking.

Site Coverage

Less than 50% limited; 60% incremental; 70% moderate and 75% substantial change areas.

Carparking

Hidden from streetscape, carports on boundary lines rather than garages.

Private Open Space




Design Details


Materials and Finishes

Weatherboards, brick, block-work, glass and timber. Consider inclusion of green walls and roofs. Consider inclusion of materials from sustainable sources, including recycled.

Landscaping

Incorporation of large canopy trees and wide landscape setbacks.

Avoid

Visual dominance of driveways and garages. Poor interrelationships with surrounding streetscape and public realm. Overlooking of surrounding properties. High levels of impermeable surfaces. Narrow landscape strips and small landscaped areas which do not allow for upper canopy vegetation. Built form, materials and colours which do not respect the surrounding neighbourhood character. Tall front fences. Poor solar orientation. Lack of private/secluded open spaces for residents.

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4.4 Townhouses


Height and Form

Two to three storeys, roof top (attic dormers) provide opportunity for an extra storey.

Siting

Frontages 5 metres minimum front setback or street average. Side setbacks maintained when adjoining existing detached dwellings. Orientation and inclusion of internal courtyards for maximum solar access.

Site Coverage

Less than 70% in moderate change areas; 75% in substantial change areas.

Carparking

Rear or set back within development communal car parks to be explored.

Private Open Space

Wide balconies, courtyard and roof gardens/terraces.



Design Details

Maximise shared walls. Provision of wide balconies and promotion of roof gardens/terraces. Front gardens blended with streetscapes. Minimal/ visually permeable low front fencing.


Block-work, brick, skylights, roof windows and glazing (to maximize light access), stone, timber, green roofs. Consider inclusion of materials from sustainable sources, including recycled.

Landscaping

Incorporation of large canopy trees to front and rear, using deciduous trees where appropriate for solar access. Use of plantings/hedges instead of front fences.

Avoid

Bland forms and facades. Garages and driveways dominating frontages. Lack of landscaping and upper canopy trees. Blank side wall ends. Long lengths restricting front to rear access. Poor solar orientation and access. Small, unusable balconies. Lack of private/secluded open space for residents. Tall front fences. Visual building bulk.

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4.5 Apartments/Mixed Use


Height and Form

Four storey preferred minimum.

Siting

Frontages 5 metres minimum setback or street average. Side setbacks zero at lower levels. Stepping back to provide articulation and to address overshadowing and over looking.

Site Coverage

Up to 70% in moderate change areas; up to 75% in substantial change areas.

Carparking Basement with up to 30% under croft, limited at rear.

Private Open Space

Balconies, courtyard and roof gardens / terraces.



Design Details

Provision of balconies and promotion of roof gardens / terraces. Orientation to major views and open space. Well proportioned articulation, active façade at ground level.


Steel, glass, concrete, timber, green walls and roofs. Consider inclusion of materials from sustainable sources, including recycled.

Landscaping

Incorporation of large canopy trees.

Incorporation of vertical (wall) and roof top gardens.

Avoid

Bland forms or facades. Poor interrelationship with surrounding streetscape and public realm, including non-activated ground levels. Overshadowing of surrounding properties and the public realm. Wind tunnels. Over-articulation and visual clutter (e.g. balcony clutter, visibility of service elements such as air conditioners). Overlooking of private properties. Impact on significant views. Lack of private/secluded open space for residents. Visual impact of parking and poor entry/egress sightlines.

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5 HOW WILL THESE GUIDELINES BE IMPLEMENTED? A planning scheme amendment to the Knox Planning Scheme is required to include the Guidelines in the Knox Planning Scheme. As part of the implementation of the Stud Park (Stage 2) Structure Plan, an amendment will be prepared as a priority. This amendment will include the Guidelines.

It is expected that the design standards proposed in the Guidelines will replace many of the planning controls that currently apply to residential development, resulting in clear, easy to understand controls.

Initially the Guidelines are expected to apply to the Stud Park Major Activity Centre only. In the longer term, it is intended to prepare and apply similar Guidelines based on the pilot to all residential areas in the City of Knox. This will require a separate planning scheme amendment.

The planning scheme amendment process includes public notification, consideration of submissions by Council and if required, the appointment of an independent Panel to further consider and report on submissions. The ultimate decision to approve (with or without changes) or refuse the amendment is made by the Minister for Planning.

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6 GLOSSARY Note: all definitions unless otherwise referenced, are sourced from the Residential Design Guidelines & Housing Capacity Analysis Pilot project report, 2009). Active Frontages: Refers to street frontages where there is an active visual engagement between those in the street and those on the ground floors of buildings. This quality is assisted where the front façade of buildings include the main entrance, face the street, and the ground floor uses face and open towards the street. Activity Centres: Activity Centres are the traditional focus for services, employment and social interaction in cities and towns. They are where people shop, work, meet, relax and often live. Usually well served by public transport, they range in size and intensity of use from local neighbourhood strip shopping centres to traditional town centres and major regional malls (Melbourne 2030, 2002). Within the City of Knox these are Knox Central (Principal Activity Centre), Bayswater, Boronia, Mountain Gate and Stud Park (Major Activity Centres) and Neighbourhood Activity Centres (smaller centres such as Rowville Lakes). Amenity: The attractiveness of an area or residential structure, Feature(s) conducive to attractiveness. Aspects of an area (street, property or dwelling) which provide pleasure and / or comfort and convenience. Apartment (mixed use): Development of three or more stories as either single mass or multi unit dwelling which may incorporate a range of uses across multiple levels. Articulation: (Building) The emphasizing of separate parts of the building by changes in material and alignment (vertical and / or horizontal). Building Envelope: A three dimensional area composed of the footprint and air space above in which the building development is permitted. Building Footprint: Represents the outermost permissible (on ground) perimeter extents of a building (dwelling) and associated structures. Bush Boulevards: A consistent landscaping theme along main roads in Knox (usually east-west, but include some north-south roads such as Stud Road), with extensive native plantings, that express a landscape transition between the edge of the suburbs and the Dandenong Foothills (Knox City Council Streetscape Policy, 2003). Bush Suburban: Defined by large blocks within patchworks stands of tall (generally Native) trees which dominate the streetscape. Houses may be orientated regularly or irregularly and due to the lack of fencing and opens lawns are typically wholly visible from the street. (Refer to City of Knox Neighbourhood Character Study 1999 for an expanded definition). Carport: A roofed structure for the parking of vehicles which is open (non-walled) on most of its sides. Consolidated lots: Where two or more lots are joined together to form a larger development site. Cul de Sac/ Court: A local street with an 'access' (to properties) function rather than a transport or 'through' function. While some cul de sacs provide no possible passage except in and out of their road entry, others allow cyclists and pedestrians to pass through connecting easements or paths. Typically occurs in newer areas of Rowville and northern end of Knoxfield. Curvilinear: A subdivision laid out around a predominantly curving road layout with lots which may have irregular sides and orientation, generally designed in response to landscape feature and or topography. Dandenong Foothills: Areas covered identified in the Knox Planning Scheme which mark and form part of

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the beginning of the Dandenong Ranges. Defined by undulating terrain and significant areas of both upper and lower canopy vegetation. Detached Dwelling: Development of one dwelling per lot. Dispersed: Development distributed across a wide area and located away from Activity Centres and the Principal Public Transport Network (PPTN). Dormer Windows: Are set vertically into a sloping roof. Dormer windows often provide light and air to attic-level bedrooms. They come in a variety of styles associated with roof shapes, including gabled and hipped. Dual Occupancy: Development of two dwellings on a lot. Dual Road frontage: Property which has roads on two of its sides, typically used when on front and rear. ESD: Ecologically/ environmentally Sustainable Design / development - Development designed and implemented in a manner which addresses in an integrated manner environmental, social and economic issues. Development which helps to protect the environment and meets the needs of Australians today, while conserving our ecosystems for the benefit of future generations. Exotic: Plants which naturally occurs outside of Australia. Floodplain: Flat land next to river or waterway, an area of low-lying land across which a waterway flows that is typically covered with sediment as a result of occasional to frequent flooding / inundation. In Knox such areas are typically found along Dandenong Creek and its tributaries. Garage A roofed structure for the parking of vehicles and or storage which is closed (walled) on most of its sides. Garden Court and Villa Court: Are suburban areas typically arranged around a curvilinear and cul-de-sac street pattern with Garden Courts generally containing more low scale building stock and wider setbacks and Villa Courts containing larger 2 storey, often reproductive style developments with greater site coverage and less vegetation consisting of predominantly conifers. (Refer to City of Knox Neighbourhood Character Study 1999 for an expanded definition). Garden Suburban: Suburban areas typically built from the 1960 to 1970s. These areas are arranged around a grid street system and contain predominantly single storey / low scale development. Wide streets and nature strips, lack of fences and generous building setbacks create an open garden character. (Refer to City of Knox Neighbourhood Character Study 1999 for an expanded definition). Green Roof: Is a roof of a building partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier, drainage and irrigation system. Green Wall: Is a wall of a building partially or completely covered with living vegetation planted in some cases into soil or an inorganic growing medium. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier, drainage and irrigation system. Homogenous: Composed of similar (consistent and complimentary or identical) elements creating a uniform / similar nature. Indigenous: A plant native to the local (Knox) area, naturally occurring pre (white) settlement. Irregular (Lots / development): Non-symmetrical, not occurring at regular spacings, dimensions and or orientation. Melbourne 2030: The State Government’s planning blueprint for metropolitan Melbourne from 2002 to 2030,

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its full title being Melbourne 2030 – Planning for Sustainable Growth (Melbourne 2030, 2002). Mixed Use: Development incorporating a mix of uses including residential and office, retail, education, community etc. Multi-dwelling development: More than one dwelling on a lot. Native Vegetation: Plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses. Neighbourhood character: Term used in the planning scheme to describe the overall characteristic of and area. It relates to the combination of features that makes one residential area different to another (Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2001). Neighbourhood character policy: A local planning policy in the Knox Planning Scheme that provides design guidance to ensure that residential development and, where relevant, respond to the preferred neighbourhood character of residential areas. The policy designates all residential areas in Knox as ‘character areas’. There are two such character areas in the Stud Park Major Activity Centre and surrounding area: Garden Suburban and Villa Court (Knox Planning Scheme and adapted from the Residential Guidelines & Housing Capacity Pilot Project, 2009). Permeability / Permeable: Allows free flow of water (rain / runoff) through surface. Precinct: A part of a town / suburb designated for a particular use, especially an area accessible or purpose-built / focused on and particular area e.g. activity centre / shops. Private Open Space: defined in the Victoria Planning Provisions as outdoor area of a dwelling or residential building or land for the exclusive use of the occupants. Principal Public Transport Network (PPTN): A high-quality public transport network that connects Principal and Major Activity Centres, and comprises the existing radial fixed-rail network, extensions to the radial network, extensions to this radial network and new cross-town bus routes (Melbourne 2030, 2002). Public Realm: Non-private area visually and generally physically accessible to the public. Typically parks, streetscape / road reserves and front gardens. Rectilinear: Subdivision / streetscapes, lots consisting of, bounded by, or formed by predominantly straight line or lines. Typically north south orientated. Root Barrier: A membrane, linear or structure installed below ground surface level to contain / redirect root development for the protection of buildings, pathways or other structures. Setback: Defined in the Victoria Planning Provisions as the minimum distance from any allotment boundary to a building. Shared wall (Party wall): A wall erected on the line between two properties or dwellings and shared by both owners. Site Coverage: is the proportion of a site covered by buildings. Solar Access: Sunlight access to dwelling and living areas (interior and exterior) for natural heating and light. Sustainable Design Assessment: Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) is a statement that summarises how a development deals with sustainable design initiatives such as energy efficiency and peak energy demand, water use, stormwater and waste management, transport and the responsible use of materials. It is required to be submitted with a planning permit application for 3 or more dwellings, commercial/industrial

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development with an increase in net floor area of 500m2 or more and all mixed use developments (www.knox.vic.gov.au, 2010). Townhouses: Development of two or more dwellings on a lot in a terrace or under one roof format (e.g. shared wall, zero or minimal spaces between buildings) utilising building length and height over width or using shared walls to achieve floor space yields. Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect: Where the average temperature of an area is higher than the surrounding area. The UHI effect occurs in areas substantially covered by buildings and hard surfaces such as roads, and where there are fewer areas of open space and vegetation that would otherwise naturally provide a cooling effect. Urban heat islands contribute to both local and global warming problems (adopted from Analysis of Heat Island Effects, 2009). Villa Units: Multi dwelling development (typically with detached habitable room walls between dwellings) arranged down the length or along the width of the block. Visual Bulk: Development / dwellings which visually dominate and do not integrate with their surrounds. Often poorly proportioned, articulated and landscaped. Visually Recessive: Development / dwellings which recede / merge / compliment with their surrounds. Typically non-reflective, neutral or natural tones and colours. Walk-ability: How friendly an area is for walking. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD): Landscaping and engineering measures undertaken to treat stormwater run-off (including infiltration) for the improvement of receiving waterways (downstream water quality) and the environment. Defined by Melbourne Water as: the integration of urban planning and design approaches with the management, protection and conservation of the urban water cycle, that ensures urban water management is sensitive to natural hydrological and ecological processes.

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7 APPENDICES

Appendix 1 – Table of design standards

A larger copy of this Table is available on request.

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8 REFERENCES Residential Design Guidelines & Housing Capacity Analysis Pilot Project, The Planning Group for Knox City Council, December 2009.

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