By Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterWITHIN THE next 18 months, the National Environment and Planning Agency, (NEPA), will be rezoning the Eastwood Park Gardens in Kingston.
As a result garages, churches, warehouses, restaurants and heavy industry businesses now existing in the community will have to be removed.
Simone McCulloch, Physical Planner at NEPA, said the rezoning of Eastwood Park Gardens would allow for residential and "mixed use" only. Mixed use refers to establishments which do not generate much noise such as professional offices, nurseries and daycare centres.
She was addressing a recent Town Planning meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).
REPEATED COMPLAINTS
Figures produced by NEPA indicate that of the 863 lots occupied in Eastwood Park Gardens in 1991, nearly 200 were used for purposes other than residential. Of the 849 lots occupied in the community in 2002, only 498 were for residential use. Ms McCulloch said that citizens had complained repeatedly that the establishment of garages and other heavy industry facilities in the area had caused them much discomfort and inconvenience.
Eastwood Park Gardens is bounded by Eastwood Park Road, Molynes Road, Cassia Park Road and Red Hills Road. Already officials from NEPA have informed the citizens of Eastwood Park Gardens of the proposed rezoning. However, they are yet to meet with the operators of non-conforming businesses.
It is expected that when the project reaches implementation phase, summons would be served on the operators in breach of the zoning guidelines. In the event that they have been operating from the respective locations without having received a summons before, they would be allowed to remain as prescribed by law, Miss McCulloch explained.
Other communities such as Seymour Lands, New Kingston, Patrick City, Richmond Park and Cargill Lands will also be re-zoned, NEPA officials said.
