Four separate planning applications for townhouse complexes in Grand Cayman will be scrutinised at the Central Planning Authority’s meeting next week.
The proposed developments are in Red Bay, Spotts, Prospect and Bodden Town. None of them have attracted public objections.
The largest plan, which was put forward by developer CCST Properties, is for 44 townhouses in nine buildings, plus 108 parking spaces, on Raven Avenue in Spotts.
It was first presented to the authority on 7 June when the matter was adjourned in order to allow the applicant to address members in person.
During the next meeting on 16 Aug., the developer will be asked to explain certain aspects of the $11 million plans including suitability, access, visual appeal and length of driveway.
Other questions may include studies vs. bedrooms, sidewalk not on subject parcel, location of internal walkways and number of bedrooms proposed, according to the meeting agenda.
Primary habitat
The Department of Environment also noted that the 4.77-acre development is partially located on seasonally flooded mangroves, which it labels as “primary habitat”.
“Primary habitat is mature habitat in its natural state, otherwise uninfluenced by human activity where ecological processes are not significantly disturbed,” it says.
“These habitats are often very old, existing long before humans and may consist of many endemic and ecologically important species.
“Primary habitat is in severe decline and becoming a scarce and highly threatened resource as a result of land conversion for human activities.”
The DoE suggested in the agenda that the developer retain as much native vegetation as possible and incorporate it into the landscaping scheme.
Suitability of projects
The next largest plan, from developer Forbes Design Studio, is for 20 townhouses in five buildings, and 30 parking spaces, on Shamrock Drive in Bodden Town near Beach Bay Road.
The authority first scrutinised the $934,000 project on 7 June, but the matter was adjourned to allow the applicant to present their plans in person.
During the next meeting they will be invited to discuss suitability, possible number of bedrooms, overall design and the National Roads Authority’s comments.
A plan from developer Classic Five includes seven townhouses, a pool and cabana on Selkirk Drive in Red Bay – a project that is expected to cost $4 million.
It was first presented to the authority on 29 March and again on 7 June. Both times it was adjourned in order to gather further information.
The applicant has been invited to the upcoming meeting to discuss suitability, lot size, use of Grasscrete – concrete with holes for grass – for parking spaces, and dens with bathrooms.
The DoE flagged that this plot was originally on tidally flooded mangrove forest and woodland habitat – but that was cleared before permission was granted.
“The Department of Environment was not consulted on the land clearing and is unable to find permission for the land clearing on the online planning system,” it says.
“Land clearing without permission removes the ability of the Department of Environment to make meaningful comments on the type of habitat present.”
The final plan from developers Joseph and Darlene Anderson is for three one-bedroom townhouses on Siberia Avenue in Prospect – at a cost of $332,000.
It was first presented to the authority on 7 June and adjourned to invite the applicant to attend the meeting in person to discuss suitability, and a large lot size variance.
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