REPORT TO MALTA ENVIRONMENT & PLANNING AUTHORITY

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Beverly Fletcher
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1 REPORT TO MALTA ENVIRONMENT & PLANNING AUTHORITY TO: From: MEPA Board Members Director of Planning Date: October 2003 Subject: COMMUTED PARKING PAYMENTS SCHEME (CPPS) FOR BIRKIRKARA 1. INTRODUCTION 2. DEFINING THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE 3. CENTRAL MALTA LOCAL PLAN (CMLP) 4. PROPOSED SCHEME 5. CPPS ZONE 6. CPPS LEVY 7. RECOMMENDATION 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Planning Authority Board on 23 rd October 1997 and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Environment on 1 st July 1998 has approved a new policy regarding a Commuted Parking Payments Scheme (CPPS). The objective is to define a mechanism for implementing Structure Plan Policy TRA 4, which states: 1

2 Where a development is not required to meet full standards, the cost of providing the shortfall of spaces in public parking facilities shall be a requirement of the development. In March 2003 the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has proposed to amend its policy of the CPPS so to introduce more flexibility in the application of funds collected through the scheme. 1.2 Currently the CPPS is intended to ensure that financial contributions are made towards public parking in congested commercial areas where individual provision is physically impossible or undesirable. CPPS provides the opportunity to provide and control parking in the common good in sensitive areas. For this reason the funds can also be used to introduce on-street parking controls, like short-stay restrictions and residents parking zones (RPZs). Additionally, funds should also be used to promote sustainable means of transport such as the public transport, which help reduce parking demand. 1.3 So far the scheme has been introduced in Valletta, Floriana, Sliema, St Julian s, St Paul s Bay, Mosta, Hamrun and Victoria, Gozo. Birkirkara and Paola are currently the only primary retail centre in Malta not to benefit from a CPPS. The details for the CPPS zone for Birkirkara Local Council area have now been established and it will not apply to the local council as a whole, but to a zone covering the main commercial area. 2. DEFINING THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE 2.1 A CPPS will be introduced in the primary town centre and adjacent commercial areas in Birkirkara and a small part of Balzan. The commercial centre of Birkirkara is mainly focused along Triq il-wied and Triq il-kbira and to a lesser degree around the parish church area in Pjazza Santa Liena and Triq Tumas Fenech. However, commercial activity has also extended along Triq in-naxxar, Triq il-wied ta l-imsida, Triq Dun Karm, Triq Salvu Psaila, Triq Fleur De Lys and Triq Dun Gejtanu Mannarino. 2

3 3. CENTRAL MALTA LOCAL PLAN 3.1 The Draft Central Malta Local Plan (CMLP) which has been published for consultation in Autumn 2002, promotes a CPPS for B Kara. Policy BK 11 Commuted Parking Payments Scheme (CPPS) (See Appendix for Policy and Map) states that a CPPS will be introduced in the primary town centre and adjacent commercial areas in Birkirkara and parts of Balzan. 3.2 In the local plan area policies it is clearly pointed out that as the town with the largest population within the central zone, Birkirkara has a significant number of transport problems, particularly along the Triq in-naxxar/triq il-wied corridor. Congestion along this corridor is commonplace. This causes delays for the considerable number of vehicles that use it, and produces poor conditions for those who live and shop in this area. Parking is a problem, caused by the need for control and management improvements and the shortage of spaces. A comprehensive approach is required if conditions along this corridor are to be improved. Parking can be improved through the introduction of a Commuted Parking Payments Scheme in conjunction with a Controlled Parking Zone. 3.3 The CMLP also promotes a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in the area generally indicated in the plan. The developers of CPPS car parks will be required, as part of their development, to fund the introduction of on-street parking controls to ensure the effective and efficient management and regulation of all parking in the locality. Of particular importance will be the need to safeguard residents from problems associated with living close to commercial areas. The CPZ will therefore include a residents parking zone. It is important that CPZ is introduced prior to the operation of the CPPS car parks, so to work towards transport sustainability and make best use of existing parking resources. 3

4 3.4 No adverse comment was received during the CMLP public consultation period and therefore it is assumed that there is general support for this policy. 4. PROPOSED SCHEME 4.1 The Draft CMLP identified two sites which would be part public parking, part private uses and a third has emerged more recently. These are shown on the attached Map CPPS/BKR 01/ and are as follows: Car Park A - Site at Triq il-knisja l-qadima (off Triq il-wied); This site is conveniently located to serve the busy Triq il-wied area, but access is a little problematic. For this reason the number of spaces on this land may have to be limited, and some revisions for current traffic management measures are likely to be required. Car Park B - Site at the end of Triq Falzun (off Triq in-naxxar); This site is well sited to serve the shops situated along Triq in-naxxar, provided measures are introduced to ensure safe and efficient movements at the main road junctions. Car ParkC Site at Triq F.S.Caruana (off Triq Ganni Borg); During the public consultation period, Birkirkara Local Council asked for a third car park at Triq F.S.Caruana within the terms of policy BK11. This site is conveniently located to serve the area round the parish church provided convenient pedestrian links are introduced, therefore the CMLP will be modified to include it. 4.2 It is important to state that if suitable alternative or additional sites become available as a consequence of re-development proposals then these will be considered and the CPPS will be modified accordingly. 4

5 4.3 Based on previous experience, this CPPS will be slightly different from the others. Existing schemes are based on dedicated public car park funded by CPPS contributions and income. This scheme introduces a third financial element to improve economic viability, that is increased development opportunities. 4.4 To enhance the economic attractiveness and viability of these car parks, residential and/or commercial development may also be permitted at these sites. Mixed developments that include some public parking will require some flexibility in normal planning requirements, in terms of uses and floor space compared to what otherwise would be the case. This extra development will help cover the costs of the public parking. In essence, CPPS car parks will be funded by increased development value, CPPS contributions and income. 4.5 Several discussions have already taken place with the architects and owners of the original two sites identified in the draft CMLP. The response has generally been positive, however it is evident that there is an urgent need to start generating CPPS contributions if the whole funding package is to be feasible. 4.6 The site location exercise, as stated earlier, has already been undertaken during the local plan, while the exact number of spaces will be determined by: i. discussions and agreements with owners on the design and mix of development; and ii. accessibility. 5. CPPS ZONE 5.1 The studies show that the existing parking situation in Birkirkara is problematic for both residents and visitors and that there is an urgent need for the CPPS. The boundary of the CPPS will be based on the primary town centre boundary set by the retail topic paper and Local Plan studies. The CPPS 5

6 zone will include adjacent designated commercial areas (Policy BK06), small parts of which are in Balzan that are within reasonable walking distance of the proposed car parks. The CPPS zone boundary is shown on the attached Map CPPS / BKR 01/ CPPS LEVY 6.1 The MEPA is committed, within the extent of its authority, to ensure that the car parks described above are provided within a time period of 10 years. The detailed mechanism by which private parking developments may be subsidized from the CPPS will have to be determined in cooperation with the Local Council, since this body will be responsible for introducing the CPZ and similar controls. It is important that parking management and control be consistent with Structure Plan and Local Plan policies. 6.2 The existing CPPS is based on individual developers paying about half the likely cost (per space) of the eventual car park. Since a Lm900 levy per parking space is currently being charged in most other CPPS areas, it is recommended to keep a standard levy of Lm900 for Birkirkara. 7. RECOMMENDATION 7.1 That the proposed zone for the Birkirkara area is approved as described in this report and on Map CPPS / BKR 01/ That the levy for the Birkirkara CPPS zone is set at Lm900, until such time as the zone is reviewed. 6

7 APPENDIX Draft Central Malta Local Plan (CMLP) Birkirkara Area Policies BK11 Commuted Parking Payments Scheme (CPPS) A CPPS will be introduced in the primary town center and adjacent commercial areas in Birkirkara and parts of Balzan. Non-residential developments permitted within this area will be required to contribute towards the CPPS fund for any shortfall in on-site parking. The precise boundary of the scheme will be determined following a detailed study. Two sites have been identified as possible car parks, namely: i. Land in Triq il-knisja l-qadima (off Triq il-wied); and ii. Land at the end of Triq Falzun (off Triq in-naxxar). To ensure the economic viability of these car parks, residential and/or commercial development may also be permitted at these sites. If suitable alternative or additional sites become available as a consequence of re - development proposals then these will be considered. CPPS funds will be used not only to construct public car parks, but also to introduce measures which manage parking demand, as for example RPZs and limited waiting. The number of spaces provided at each site and their operation will be consistent with policy CG27, and the ability of the adjacent road network to accommodate the additional traffic movements The CPPS, which was introduced in 1994 and amended in 1997, is intended to ensure that financial contributions are made towards public parking in congested commercial areas where individual provision is physically impossible or undesirable. CPPS provides the opportunity to provide and control parking in the common good in sensitive areas. For this reason the funds can also be used to introduce on-street parking controls, like short-stay restrictions and residents parking zones (RPZs). Additionally, funds should also be used to promote sustainable means of transport, which help reduce parking demand Birkirkara is the only primary retail center in Central Malta not to benefit from a CPPS. Its elongated shape means that more than one car park is required if the shopping area is to be well served The site at Triq Falzun is well sited to serve the shops situated along Triq in- Naxxar provided measures are introduced to ensure safe and efficient movements at the main road junctions. 7

8 The Triq il-knisja l-qadima site is conveniently located to serve the busy Triq il-wied area, but access is a little problematic. For this reason the number of spaces provided at this site may have to be limited, and some revisions for current traffic management measures are likely to be required The existing CPPS is based on individual developers paying about half the likely cost (per space) of the eventual car park. Whilst part of this funding gap can possibly be met from parking charges, it is likely that in order to make the projects economically viable some element of profitable development must also be permitted. This is recognized, but normal planning requirements relating to land uses and design will still apply to these sites If suitable additional or alternative sites close to the town center become available as a consequence of re-development proposals in the area, then a pragmatic and flexible approach will be adopted to achieve the desired goal, that is, the creation of additional short term parking spaces to serve the shopping centre As indicated in policy CG27, there is a need to review existing car parking standards and introduce targeted maximum levels. In conjunction with this, there is a need to consider how the CPPS actually operates and examine ways of speeding up delivery This precise boundary of the scheme and the number of spaces to be provided at each site will be established after a detailed study. It is likely that parts of Triq in-naxxar within Balzan will be included within the scheme. BK12 Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) MEPA will encourage and support the Malta Transport Authority and Local Council to introduce a CPZ in the area generally indicated on Transport Policy Map. The developer(s) of CPPS car park(s) as indicated in Policy BK11 will be required, as part of their development, to fund the introduction of on-street parking controls to ensure the effective and efficient management and regulation of all parking in the locality Policy CG27 identifies the need to comprehensively control and prioritise parking in areas of high parking demand. This is not only necessary to achieve sustainable transport objectives, but to efficiently use resources. Of particular importance will be the need to safeguard residents from problems associated with living close to commercial areas. The CPZ will therefore include a residents parking scheme It would be beneficial to introduce a CPZ, in some form, prior to the construction of the CPPS car parks, so as to work towards general policy objectives and to make best use of exiting parking resources. 8

Transport Planning Unit N AWTORITA TA' L' AMBJENT U L-IPPJANAR MALTA ENVIRONMENT & PLANNING AUTHORITY Key CPPS Zone Boundary Car Parks Car Park C Car Park B Car Park A Commuted Parking

9 Transport Planning Unit N AWTORITA TA' L' AMBJENT U L-IPPJANAR MALTA ENVIRONMENT & PLANNING AUTHORITY Key CPPS Zone Boundary Car Parks Car Park C Car Park B Car Park A Commuted Parking Payment Scheme (CPPS) Birkirkara Scale : Date : No Scale October 2004 INDICATIVE ONLY Not to be used for direct interpretation. Base Maps Survey Sheets Copyright Mapping Unit, MEPA

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