Chapter 11 Urban Environments applications will be considered as ‘Limited Discretionary’ Activities with their assessment confined to a consideration of the effects of the non-compliance. Annual Plan Through the Annual Plan process, the Council will progressively undertake improvements to local roading, sewerage, water supply and stormwater services. Research The Council will continue to monitor and research the requirements of and limitations to residential growth in the urban areas, townships and settlements of the Wairau/ Awatere. Reserves Through the Reserves Management Strategy, the Council will manage the parks and reserves which are an important contribution to the amenity of the urban area. Community The Council will encourage any community initiated amenity improvement programmes to improve residential amenity standards. Other Legislation Buildings intended for human occupation will be required, in terms of the Building Act, to comply with standards for providing adequate supply of potable water and means of disposal of waste water effluent. Guidelines The Council will make available its Code of Practice for Subdivision and Development which sets out a means of compliance with the Plan’s requirements for water supply and waste disposal services. Compliance with the Code will be deemed to be compliance with the Plan. The Council will develop guidelines or Codes of Practice to assist residents select, install and operate alternative water supply and sewage disposal systems. The Council has developed a set of guidelines to assist in the design of residential subdivisions and residential buildings to maximise energy efficiency. The Council will promote energy efficiency and solar energy use by providing a hand-out summarising the guidelines. Plan rules are considered to be the only effective method of controlling residential development within sustainable limits. Urban residential areas must be able to be sustainably served with the necessary services. Plan rules are necessary for ensuring that the effects of activities undertaken within urban residential areas are compatible with the character and amenities of those areas. Rules provide for residential activities as Permitted Activities subject to performance standards to protect amenity. Non-residential activities will be considered on their merits and in terms of the objectives, policies and standards relating to residential amenity and character. The Plan acknowledges that it is appropriate for community facilities to be located within residential areas. However, rather than prescribe a set of performance conditions anticipating all effects of community facilities, these will be assessed as applications for resource consents on their individual merits and in terms of their effects within the residential environment. 11 - 13