1. Agreed Motions for Draft Dublin City Development Plan from 20 Combined
Residents Groups
With explanations provided for clearer understanding in red font.
Motion:
(1) This Council agrees that section 17.6.2 (definition of a high rise building) be
amended as follows:
Low Rise: Up to 16 M
Mid Rise: from 16 M to 32M
High Rise: over 33 M
This is almost the same definition as current draft except for the reduction in height
attributed to Low Rise. We are calling for the definition of Low Rise to be retained at
the historic Georgian height of Dublin (5 Storey). This is essential if we are to try and
protect our established Residential Communities. At no stage could any reasonable
person believe that 6 storeys is low rise. ( please see attached graph )
(2) All proposed new Low Rise buildings (up to 16M) but two residential storeys
or more higher than the prevailing height in the vicinity shall be accompanied
by an Urban Design Statement outlining:
●The context indicating a site and area analysis
● The design principles which have been applied to the site and how these
will be translated to the development in terms of layout, density, scale,
landscape, visual appearance and impact on amenities, including sunlight.
●Drawings, prospectus and photomontages to demonstrate how the approach
has been applied on the site
This is to ensure that any plan to build 2 or more storeys higher than an existing
residence contains clear documentation on the proposal, the need and demand for the
proposal while also providing assurances that the adjoining residences will not suffer
adversely.
(3) This Council agrees to amend the Density Standards chart at 17.3 of the draft
Development plan be amended to state:
Dublin City Council accepts the standards set out in the
DoEHLG guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas which
clearly states ‘ minimum net densities of 50 dwellings per hectare, subject to
appropriate design and amenity standards, should be applied within public transport
corridors with the highest densities being located at rail stations/bus stops and
decreasing with distance from such nodes’.
The figure of 50 dwellings is a MINIMUM density. It is also the guideline figure
from the Departnent of Environments own Planning Regulations. We are not seeking
a reduction in dwelling densities, we are actually seeking the imposition of
Government guidelines. The lack of clarity on the imposition of Government
guidelines by several local authorities may have a part to play in the recent

2. announcement by the Minister for the Environment with regard to Independent
planning reviews.
(4) This Council agrees to omit the word ‘Residential’ from the Z15 zoning
objectives, under both permissible uses and open for consideration uses.
The Z15 Zoning relates to Institutional & Religious lands. We cannot afford to see
these valuable community amenities fall into the hands of Developers. Many of these
green belts are used for sporting & recreational activities by local communities and
schools. The attempt to include the word ‘residential’ is solely aimed at maximizing the
profits of the landowners. This should not be a function of Dublin City Council. In
addition, this inclusion of the word ‘residential’ would remove the democratic function of
Councillors by taking away the right of local Councillors to rezone these lands
individually if they so wished. That local democracy would be lost to Councillors who
know the requirements of their local Communities.
(5) This Council agrees that the plot ratio standards for the following zoning
designations be amended in the draft Development Plan as follows:
Z1 and Z2 (suburbs) indicative plot ratio 0.25 -1. 0:1
Z1 and Z2 (inner city ) 1.0-1.75:1
Z3 1.0 -1.5:1
Z6 (suburbs) 1.0 -1.5:1
Z6(inner city) 1.5 - 2.5:1
Z12 0.5 – 1.0:1
Z14 1.0 – 2.0:1
Z15 0.5-1.0:1
It is not possible to fully explain Plot Ratio in lay terms. It is a technical scale and it
would be wrong for us to attempt to go into detail. The above figures are provided to us
and agreed by various Planning Experts using guides from various European tables.
Please be assured that the above ratios STILL allow for extensive developments and are
not, as some officials claim, unsuitable for a modern City. They allow new development
ratios while retaining some control over the established character of our City.

3. Height Motions : GRAPH
Dear Councillor, Please look at this graph and
Understand our concerns over the so called
Low Rise alone.
Two Storey Six Storey Eight Storey Sixteen Storey High Rise
Existing Outer Suburb Inner City Mid – Rise 33 M plus
Note: These heights may increase if the development site is within 1 KM of a train / metro transport
point.