A $6 million application for 24 townhouses and 12 shops next to the Tim Hortons coffee shop on Shamrock Road has been approved by the Central Planning Authority.
The proposed three-storey building will consist of ground floor retail units and two floors of one-bedroom apartments above.
The application, submitted by RSI Properties, had received an objection against it when it was originally submitted in August last year, but as the objectors failed to appear twice to planning meetings, the CPA decided to proceed with considering the application.
Permission has now been granted for the 40,000-square-foot development on Shamrock Road, subject to meeting various conditions regarding site boundaries and wastewater management. RSI Properties already owns the adjacent plot of land where Tim Hortons opened last year.
Minimal traffic impact projected
Giving reasons for the decision made at the 5 Feb. meeting, CPA board members said that the project, which is in a Neighbourhood Commercial zone, was similar in density to other complexes such as Harbour Walk and The Grove Too.
The National Roads Authority said that the impact of additional traffic onto Shamrock Road was expected to be “minimal”.
In its application, RSI Properties, which was represented at the planning meeting by Tommy Sofield of Cayman Structural Group, attorney Selina Tibbetts and architect John Yeo of Paradise Drafting, said that there was a need in this area for affordable single-bedroom apartments for younger Caymanians and residents, “as well as basic retail amenities such as tutoring facilities, beauty salons, laundry facilities and other commercial retail facilities”.
It added, “The facilitation of affordable apartments and everyday commercial amenities also assists with the current traffic problems in Grand Cayman as it allows residents to meet their daily needs within the local community instead of having to travel into central George Town.”
More townhouses for Linford Pierson Highway
The minutes from the 5 Feb. meeting also revealed that planning permission had been granted for six more townhouses off Linford Pierson Highway in the fast-growing Yarl complex.
The multi-phase residential complex had originally been green-lit by the CPA in September 2021 for apartments, townhouses, a gym and swimming pool, and permission was granted in April last year for 42 townhouses and two pickleball courts. There are currently 152 units and 221 bedrooms approved and proposed on the site.
As well as the six-unit townhouse building, the developers of the site, Pro-Plus Construction, had also asked for a strata subdivision but at the meeting asked if it could be adjourned as otherwise it would exceed density requirements for the site. The site, which is currently deemed as Low Density Residential, is likely to be reclassified as High Density Residential with an application having been made to Parliament.
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