Chapter 11: Land Use Zoning Objectives and Development Standards and Guidelines
Proposed change of Density Zoning
We, the residents believe that if a change in zoning to well established neighbourhood's such as Munster Avenue were allowed to go ahead it would have a detrimental effect on the quality of our neighbourhood. If it were allowed to change from a Low Density Residential Zoning, as was the case in the 2017-2023 Plan, to a High Density Residential Zoning we believe this would rip the fabric of our neighbourhood and change it for the worst.
We are asking for Munster Avenue to have special recognition as an inner city residential area.It is located in the West of Galway City and some houses date back to the 1940's which are still lived in by family's for generations and who have spent time and money upgrading these houses by making them more sustainable by improving the heating retention and efficiency. Surely the plan should not be trying to drive out local's who are the heart and soul of Galway and who take pride in their area. We are surrounded by neighbourhood's with special recognition and keeping them as LOR Zoning area's.
We are asking that Munster Avenue also retains the status of being a Low Density Residential Zoning area. The changes proposed in this new plan will only drive out local family's and the special atmosphere the West End of Galway will be forever lost.
In section 3.2 there are many new proposals regarding housing strategy but no mention regarding a balance on existing housing and how this would affect the sustainability of these neighbourhoods.In the Table 3.1 there is no mention of Munster Avenue either in INNER RESIDENTIAL AREAS or CITY CENTRE RESIDENTIAL sections. Have we been forgotten about? We still pay property tax. We should be included in the CITY CENTRE RESIDENTIAL section the same as the Henry Street area.
Flooding
As I'm sure your aware of the flooding issues Munster Avenue has been experiencing for years which has only got worse and with projections on climate change showing rainfall is only going to increase any overdevelopment in Munster Avenue will not only affect the existing housing but also any new housing.Flood insurance is no longer available to homeowners in Munster Avenue.
Has Has any IMPACT STUDY been carried out on changing from Low Density Residential Zoning to a High Density Residential Zoning do regarding the increase and severity of flooding in Munster Avenue