The Central Planning Authority has given the green light to developers to build an 82-lot subdivision in North Side – on a large area of mangrove wetland.
Meanwhile numerous other applications – including for an ‘urban city’ in South Sound and Morritt’s expansion – have been put on hold for further analysis and discussion.
The $3 million subdivision project will see 80 residential lots and two roads created on Adrian Bodden’s 24.5-acre site off Rock Springs Drive in North Side.
The Department of Environment, commenting on the application, said the mangrove habitat is very old, in severe decline, scarce and highly threatened.
It said it does not support the full-scale clearing of the site which should be reserved until development of individual lots is imminent.
The authority, in granting permission, said there will be no land clearing, excavation, filling or development of the subdivided parcels without planning permission for such works.
It allowed the developer a slight variance in the minimum size of several of the lots due to them being placed at the edge of the subdivision.
Warehouses and storage
The authority also granted permission to Commercial Properties for the construction of five warehouses on a 1.45-acre plot on School Road in George Town – a $5 million project.
In their plans, the developers said the commercial climate-controlled storage warehouses aim “to fill an existing demand and void in the district”.
In the agenda for the 13 Sept. meeting when the application was discussed, they said the buildings will boast contemporary architectural design and elevate the neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, Robert Selkirk Watler was granted permission to use two 40-foot shipping containers as boat equipment storage on a 2.37-acre plot off Princess Street in Red Bay.
And the authority gave permission to Carlyle McLaughlin to go ahead with a $18,000 project to create a 14-lot subdivision on a 3.75-acre plot in Lower Valley.
Urban city on hold
Cayman Enterprise City presented a proposal to modify existing plans for an office and housing campus on a 70-acre site in South Sound, which it dubs an “urban city”.
The developer requested planning approval to remove the lakes and reclaimed wetland park from its original ‘masterplan’ to make way for a school and housing.
However, the plan has met with heavy opposition from the Department of Environment and nearby residents who have been vocal in their objections to the proposed modifications.
They suggest the changes will increase the amount of hard surfaced ground and decrease the number of permeable areas, worsening the risk of flooding during wet season.
During the meeting, the developer said they are inclined to withdraw the modification application and revert to the original approval for the sake of time.
The Central Planning Authority adjourned the application to allow for additional review by all parties.
Application to extend East End sea wall
Patty Nugent applied for permission to extend a stone wall from behind a dive resort in East End to her neighbouring plot off Austin Conolly Drive to prevent storm damage.
The application prompted DoE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie to reiterate her long-standing objections to “armouring” the coastline.
She said it disrupts natural processes that shape and maintain beaches.
The application was adjourned and referred to the National Conservation Council because of the “potential adverse effects”.
Morritt’s expansion adjourned
Morritt Properties’ proposal to extend its large beachfront timeshare resort in East End was also put on hold.
Developers had hoped to add an $18 million five-storey building extension with 33 more bedrooms.
Plans indicated it will be positioned at the current location of the resort’s dive shop, 75 feet from the high-water mark – much closer than the legal setback of 160 feet.
In her response, Ebanks-Petrie said the beach, near to the proposed build site, is an active turtle nesting area and a marine protected area which may be disturbed by construction.
The authority adjourned the application to allow Morritt Properties to address the authority on the potential adverse effects.
Plans for a $1.5 million subdivision of land off Manse Road in Bodden Town were also adjourned to invite the developer, Rd Land, to discuss potential adverse effects.
The 59-lot subdivision was designed to be created on an 18-acre plot, with some lots substantially smaller than the regulated 80-foot width.
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Can anyone tell me exactly where Rock Springs Drive is? I can’t find on Google maps. thanks