Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterTHE JAMAICA National Heritage Trust (JNHT) has put on hold its plans to designate downtown Kingston a protected heritage zone, awaiting the outcome of consultations with a task force which includes members of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) and other stakeholders.
Susanne Lyon, executive director of the JNHT, told The Gleaner that the 28-day notice that was given to the public had expired and that there have been eight objections to the designation notice.
She said that objections have come from the JCC, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) and other property owners in the capital.
"We need to meet with all the parties to clarify the misunderstandings. We are meeting today to look at a plan of action given the proposal for redevelopment. We would be looking at resolving the concerns and the development of guidelines," she said.
TASK FORCE TO MEET NEXT YEAR
Deputy Mayor of Kingston Lee Clarke told The Gleaner that the task force would be meeting early next year to work out the details of the designation such as a map of the area that would be designated, the criteria of the colour codes, among other things.
Since the declaration was posted in The Gleaner there have been several objections to the designation as some have been adverse to the idea that property owners who would like to make changes to their buildings would have to adapt to Georgian style or a particular colour code.
Meanwhile, the JCC had argued that the designation would severely compromise the efforts of the JCC and other bodies to revive the economic and social vibrancy of the area.
The Chamber had said in a prior statement that it would not be opposed to the plan if the heritage trust, after agreement with individual property owners, chose to designate particular buildings for recognition as national heritage sites. The protected heritage zone plan, the Chamber said, is a "blanket and indiscriminate designation", which is unacceptable.
