Site Use
Considering how a building and site impact on each other, enhancing energy efficiency, comfort and convenience.
Garages
Garage location on a site can present problems
If built on the street boundary, they can dominate the streetscape. If built at the rear of the site, they require a long driveway and an adequate turning area, and they reduce safety for children and pets. A long driveway can also increase stormwater runoff.
A good location for a garage is set back approximately 6 m from the front/street boundary so that the visual impact of the garage on the streetscape is reduced and an additional space for car parking is provided in front of the garage.
Garages may be attached to the house or constructed separately. If attached to the house, internal or undercover access can also be provided.
- Vehicle turning areas
If the garage must be at the rear of the site, providing an adequate vehicle turning area means that vehicles do not need to back out of the site.
- Garages on the street frontage
The garage can be set back from the face of the house so it does not dominate the street scene. A vehicle access area that is fenced off from the rest of the site will help to keep children safe.
If a garage is located on the street frontage, it may require resource consent. This may include a requirement for landscaping along the road front boundary to minimise the impact on the streetscape. Whether or not resource consent is required, planting should be used to screen and soften the visual impact of the garage.