By Alric Lindsay
In the Fourth Meeting of the 2023-24 Session of Parliament this week, all members of the Parliament voted in favour of the rezoning of Block 23 B, Parcel 108, 109, 110 and 111 George Town South from low-density residential to beach resort residential and to relocate an area zone public open space to the western boundary of the property. The Honourable Minister for Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport and Development Jay Ebanks brought the motion.
Explaining the motion, the Planning Minister said:
Whereas on the 10 May 2023… the Central Planning Authority originally considered the request to amend [the] Development Plan from low density residential to beach resort residential over Block 23 B, Parcel 108, 109, 110 and 111.
It was resolved to forward the proposal for a 60 day public notification and consultation period pursuant to section 11(2) of the Development Planning Act 2021 Revision.
… the proposed amendments were duly advertised in the Caymanian Times newspaper… in accordance to the section 11(2) of the Development and Planning Act 2021 Revision.
Regarding the public consultation process, the Planning Minister said that persons were invited to view the application at the Department of Planning and to make comments. He confirmed that no letters or objections were received on the proposed amendments.
Without objections, “it was resolved to forward the rezone application to the Ministry of Planning Agriculture, Housing Infrastructure for onward transmission to the House of Parliament, subject to the Cabinet’s approval.”
The Planning Minister added, “On the 28 May 2024, Cabinet considered the rezoning application and approved the matter to be referred to the Parliament for consideration.”
Making the submission to the Parliament, the Planning Minister said:
Whereas in accordance with section 10 of the Development and Planning Act 2021 revision, the Central Planning Authority hereby recommends and submits to the Parliament the following proposal for the alteration of the development plan 1997, a summary and the maps of which are attached here to and be further and to alter the zoning area of the registration of section George Town South, Block 23 B, Parcel 108, 109, 110 and 111 from low density residential to beach resort residential, and to relocate the area zone public open space to the western boundary of the property.
According to the Planning Minister, the rezoning was necessary “to bring the zoning in line with the current land use and better facilitate future development plans.”
He added:
The area in question pertains to Block 23 B, Parcel 108, 109, 110, and 111.
These parts have straddled different zoning classifications due to the realignment of the South Sound Road, resulting in a confusing and inefficient zoning map.
Specifically, the area has multiple zones, including a beach resort residential, a low density residential, and a redundant road designation.
Additionally, there is a section labeled public open space that lacks the accessibility and the connectivity due to the realignment of the South Sound Road many years ago.
After the Planning Minister’s presentation, the Parliament resolved “to alter the zoning area of Registration Section George Town South, Block 23 B, Parcels 108, 109, 110 and 111 from low-density residential to beach resort residential [and] to relocate an area zone public open space to the western boundary of the property.”
The resolution was supported by all MPs.
