City Development Committee - 23/02/2004

At a MEETING of the PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 23rd February, 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor GRANT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th January, 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I McVICAR'S LANE DRAFT SITE PLANNING BRIEF PUBLIC CONSULTATION RESPONSE

There was submitted Report No 37-2004 by the Director of Planning and Transportation reporting back to the Committee on the response by the local community and interested parties of the above mentioned draft site planning brief, following a consultation exercise.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) note the comments submitted following consultation on the draft brief and the response to these comments; and

(b) approve the amended site planning brief for purposes of circulation to prospective developers, as detailed in the report.

II KIRKTON CENTRAL CORE SITE DEVELOPMENT BRIEF

There was submitted Agenda Note AN78-2004 whereby reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 1st December, 2003, whereby approval was given to the Director of Planning and Transportation to proceed with external consultations on the draft Kirkton Central Core Site Development Brief and to report back the results of the consultation exercise within a period of two months.

The Committee noted that the low level of response to this Brief was probably due to the extensive consultation previously undertaken with the community to seek a layout that was desirable.

The Committee therefore approved the Kirkton Central Core Site Development Brief and its inclusion as part of the sales particulars for the advertisement of the site for housing development.

III THE REGULATION OF UTILITY COMPANIES ROADWORKS A CONSULTATION

There was submitted Report No 137-2004 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee of the response to the consultation document "The Regulation of Utility Company Roadworks" issued by the Scottish Executive.

The Committee noted the contents of the report, and approved the action of the Director of Planning and Transportation, in consultation with the Convener in submitting Appendix A of the report to the Scottish Executive as the official response from Dundee City Council.

In addition, it was remitted to the appropriate officers and the Convener to investigate a complaint regarding the removal of road signs at Kingsway West, and, if necessary, write to Bear Scotland.

IV DTZ PIEDA RETAIL STUDY 2003 PROVISION FOR FUTURE COMPARISON FLOORSPACEREQUIREMENTS

There was submitted Report No 128-2004 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising the Committee as to how the future comparison retailing requirements identified by the DTZ Pieda City of Dundee Retail Review 2003 could be accommodated and seeking Members' endorsement of the approach to be adopted in respect of these requirements at the forthcoming Public Local Inquiry into the Local Plan Review.

The Committee:-

(a) endorsed the approach to meeting future comparison floorspace requirements outlined in this report; and

(b) agreed that this should form the basis of its case on these matters at the forthcoming Public Local Inquiry into the Dundee Local Plan Review.

V FACADE ENHANCEMENT GRANT SCHEME IN HILLTOWN

There was submitted Report No 111-2004 advising the Committee of progress to date in implementing the Facade Enhancement Grant Scheme in the Hilltown.

The Committee approved a 95% grant in the sum of 18,050 in respect of property at 8 to 10 Main Street.

VI CENTRAL AREA PAY AND DISPLAY SPACES CREATION OF TWO TIER TARIFF ZONES

There was submitted Report No 3-2004 by the Director of Planning and Transportation proposing the promotion of a Traffic Regulation Order to vary the time limits and charges on the pay and display spaces in the outer area of the Central Area Controlled Parking Zone.

The Committee agreed that a Traffic Regulation Order be prepared to vary the time limits and charges on the pay and display spaces in the outer area of the Central Area Controlled Parking Zone, as detailed in the report.

VII STREET LIGHTING PARTNERING AGREEMENT

There was submitted Report No 152-2004 by the Director of Planning and Transportation, reviewing the existing partnering agreement with Tayside Contracts for the provision of street lighting services and making recommendations on proposals to develop and extend the partnership.

The Committee:-

(a) agreed to the proposal to extend the street lighting partnership to form a single operational structure with Tayside Contracts for a trial period of 12 months; and

(b) authorised the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) to review the post of Street Lighting Partnership Manager for the period of the trial.

VIII KINGSWAY WEST RETAIL PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL ROADS AND FOOTWAYS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN79-2004 advising the Committee that as part of the "planning gain" associated with the redevelopment of the Kingsway West Retail Park, the developer had provided a financial allocation of 100,000 towards improvements to the roads and footways in the local area and following consultation with the local elected member, a number of such improvements had been identified.

The Committee noted that details of drawings and specifications were currently being prepared and it was proposed that this work be awarded to Tayside Contracts under the annual schedule of rates.

IX CENTRAL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT GROUND INVESTIGATION WORKS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN80-2004, advising that following a remit to undertake a detailed feasibility study for the Central Waterfront Development, the City Engineer required to carry out a ground investigation of the area to establish the conditions of the underlying rock, soil and ground water.

It was reported that to undertake this work the City Engineer costed the investigation works utilising the current "Unit Rate Contract" and the works were awarded to the lowest priced contractor, Ritchies, at a value of 64,503.90, in order to obtain an early commencement to site works on 19th January, 2004.

The Committee noted the above.

X DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (KINGS CROSS ROAD AND KINGWAY WEST, DUNDEE) (STOPPING UP OF ROADAND FOOTPATH) ORDER 2003

Reference was made to Article VIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 29th September, 2003 wherein it was agreed to stop up lengths of road and footpath situated at Kings Cross Road and Kingsway West, Dundee to enable the development of a motor showroom and service facility.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN81-2004 advising that the Order was duly prepared and advertised in the Dundee Courier and Advertiser and The Edinburgh Gazette, and the relevant statutory undertakers were consulted. No objections were received.

The Committee therefore authorised and confirmed the Stopping Up Order, and authorised formal publication of the confirmation, after which the Order would become operative.

XI ROAD HUMPS (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 1998 ST KILDA ROAD, DUNDEE

Reference was made to Article XIII of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 1st December, 2003 wherein the Committee approved the introduction of speed cushions in St Kilda Road, Dundee, with a view to improving road safety by slowing traffic speeds.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN88-2004 advising that during the statutory consultation and public notice period no adverse comments were received.

The Committee therefore authorised the scheme for the introduction of speed cushions in St Kilda Road.

XII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (SOUTH MARKETGAIT, DUNDEE) (VARIATION OF WAITING RESTRICTIONS)ORDER 2004

Reference was made to Article XI of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 1st December, 2003 wherein the Committee authorised the preparation of an Order to create a dropping off and picking up point in a layby to be provided.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN87-2004 advising that the proposed Order was duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period no adverse comments were received.

The Committee therefore authorised formal publication of the Order as drafted.

XIII CONFIRMATION OF TREE PRESERVATION ORDER 7/2003 2 MANSION DRIVE, DUNDEE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN82-2004 advising that on 20th October, 2003 the Council made a provisional Tree Preservation Order on the above mentioned site.

The Committee authorised the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) and the Director of Planning and Transportation to undertake the necessary procedures to confirm the Tree Preservation Order.

XIV CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982 PROPOSED NEW STREET NAME

There was submitted Agenda Note AN83-2004, proposing the undernoted new street name:-

The Committee approved accordingly.

XV NEW ROADS

Councillor Hind declared a non-financial interest in this item by virtue of his son being an employee for H Bute, on secondment to Buddon Limited.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN84-2004 detailing an application for road construction consent in respect of the undernoted:-

The Committee approved this application subject to conditions agreed with the developer, and further agreed that on satisfactory completion of the road and, if so requested by the applicants, it be entered on the List of Public Roads for the purposes of management and maintenance in terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

XVI SMARTBUS - GROUNDWORKS

There was submitted Report No 54-2004 by the Director of Planning and Transportation advising that in view of the timescales involved, the Director, following consultation with the Convener and the spokespersons of the SNP, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups, had approved expenditure of 450,000 in respect of preliminary groundworks to establish a new electricity supply at every bus shelter location for the Smartbus project.

XVII CHANGES TO TAXICARD SCHEME

There was submitted Report No 180-2004 by the Director of Planning and Transportation seeking approval to change the current conditions of use for clients of the Taxicard Scheme.

The Committee agreed to:-

(a) the withdrawal of the "Taxigrant" scheme to operators of accessible vehicles and the transfer of the current budget allocation for this purpose to the client use budget head for "Taxicard"; and

(b) changes to the conditions of participation in the Taxicard scheme to permit clients up to 156 single journeys per annum (an additional potential 52 journeys).

It was reported that the Convener had agreed that the undernoted items be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No. 17(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XVIII DUNDEE CITY COUNCIL (OFF-STREET CAR PARKS AND CONTROLLED PARKING) (VARIATION) ORDER 2004

Reference was made to Article X of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th January, 2004 wherein the Committee instructed and authorised the preparation of an Order to vary the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders to meet the legislative requirements for decriminalised parking enforcement.

There was submitted Agenda Note AN89-2004 advising that the proposed Order was duly drafted and during the statutory consultation period no adverse comments were received.

The Order was duly advertised on 20th February, 2004 and in the event that there were no objections, the Committee was authorised to make the Order as advertised.

XIX FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY TRANSPORT INITIATIVES

There was submitted Agenda Note AN96-2004 advising that Dundee City Council had submitted a detailed bid to the Scottish Executive in late January to the Community Transport Initiatives Fund and had now been awarded 306,650 over the next three years to develop community transport in the city.

It was noted that it was proposed to purchase special accessible vehicles with which the Council could extend the Dundee Partnership "Sheltered" bus service to the remaining SIPs areas in the city and in years two and three develop the service. By year three it was proposed to have a business plan in place with new partners from the Health Service and voluntary sector. A Community Transport Officer would, over financial years 2004/05 and 2005/06 prepare an action plan to identify all physical resources in the public and private sector and prepare a business plan to engage a Partnership Transport Brokerage to maximise availability of and access to vehicles in the "Partnership" group. In addition to identifying current community need, this Officer would bring forward a community travel aspiration document.

The Committee noted that a further report would be submitted to Committee at an early stage.

FIONA GRANT, Convener.