We are writing to support a change from the current Residential Zoning to Mixed Use Zoning along Lucan Road. This would reflect the reality; where the one residual historic dwelling has been converted to Commercial use, and a terrace of four premises are in mixed use. Neighbourhood businesses make use of the set back for customer parking in front with a car parking area permitted to rere also. Eir have a substantial building, long established (built as Lucan Telephone Exchange) inside a residential area at eircode K78 DD51. Along Lucan Road, east of the top of Chapel Hill, there are other commercial premises, schools, health and professional services, eg. Veterinary surgery at K78 F1W3, professional services office K78 D258, Funeral Directors, K78 R2C1, Presentation Convent K78VW74, St Joseph’s College, Scoil Mhuire Girls National School, St Andrew’s National School, Colaiste Phadraig CBS, K78 E927, 24 hour-Doctors-on-call facility K78 HK88, Fishing tackle shop, Auto Services, Garage & Sales, etc

We note that the existing Residential Zoning objective includes to IMPROVE the residential amenity, while the purpose is proper planning and sustainable development. We respectfully suggest that these will not be served by the perpetuation of the status quo; an objective description of which would be low-density, suburban, mixed-use. To inhibit any development of Ballydowd by restricting it to more of the same would surely underutilise expensive infrastructure (eg. a Quality Bus Corridor, future dedicated cycle-lane, or LUAS extension West). At this location, Lucan Road is necessarily only serving people to its South side. It stands to reason that the viability of any public transport service is improved by, if not reliant on sufficient footfall. Lucan Road was the route of the tramline to Dublin from 1880 to 1925/41.
Lucan Road's alignment leaves over 11.5m from the carriageway kerb, at the deepest setback distance to the property boundaries. This forms a shared surface for access to private driveways, pedestrians and informal visitor parking. Cycling is indicated within the vehicular carriageway. This wide paved area, with a Dublin Bus stop shelter, has potential as public realm to bring coherence to the mix of uses and activities.

We are agent for the applicant at eircode K78 A5D7 where SDCC 'consider it possible to accommodate a three storey building on (the above) site, or a building of 650sq.m floor area to that proposed so long as it integrates into the area, or, protect the residential amenities of the area as per the Zoning objective.' Being three times larger than the average in the immediate locality, the existing bungalow's Plot Ratio is just 6% on what was historic rural residential smallholding. Neighbouring Plot Ratios: commercial example ~ 34%, and typically for houses, 36% to 40%, South of Lucan Road. 

It is evident that Lucan residents are highly car-dependent, both suffering, and causing, the resultant traffic congestion. One solution to reduce this daily necessity, is to provide neighbourhood nodes and community services bordering traditionally residential areas. Whereas Lucan Shopping Centre at Finnstown boasts over 750 free car parking spaces, another district centre is burgeoning along Lucan Road already with its small premises and professional services.

ref. 'Suburban affiliations; social relations in the greater Dublin area', by Prof. Mary P Corcoran, Jane Gray, Michel Peillon. Syracuse Press 2010, said 'Between 1971 and 1976, Lucan's population increased from 4,245 to 12,451.
By the time of the 2006 census it had a population of approximately 37,300....This growth was precipitated by development of housing estates in the surrounding area with a study, undertaken in the early 21st century, noting a disconnect between Lucan village and some of the surrounding housing developments.[21]' viz, 'The geography of the new estates in relation to Lucan Village may provide an explanation...Many of the new developments are cut off from the village by the N4 and sited at a considerable distance from the village shops and amenities.'