Building permit breaches by Estatebridge and JACDEN Group regularised by KSAMC

The permit breaches at the residential development by Estatebridge Holdings Limited and the commercial property developed by a company for which Councillor for the Maxfield Division, Dennis Gordon, is a principal, have been regularised as the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has approved amended building applications.

Kingston Mayor, Andrew Swaby, in a media release today, indicated that the issues were placed before the KSAMC's Building and Planning Committee meeting this week.

Swaby stated that the "as-built" application for residential development at 2 Weycliffe Close, Beverly Hills, Kingston 6, submitted by Estatebridge on December 10, 2024, to regularise changes to the approved plans, was approved after an extensive technical review of the updated documents submitted by the applicant, ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.

READ: KSAMC probe finds Estatebridge breached building permit

In a statement last December, Swaby indicated that the breaches were identified during an inspection conducted on October 31, 2024, following a request from Estatebridge on October 28, 2024.

Highlighting the breaches, the mayor said, “It appears that the floor area was slightly increased, and the laundry area was reconfigured to accommodate bathrooms and storage.”

Further, the KSAMC said the dining room/living room was extended, a bathroom was constructed, and the powder room was converted to a storage area. However, it said the floor area appeared to remain unchanged.

Additionally, Swaby said two bedrooms with supporting bathrooms, a storage area, and a foyer were observed.

He said the size of the master bedroom was increased by virtue of utilising the balcony space. Further, the KSAMC said the other bedroom, with its associated bathroom, was relocated and the space was converted to a foyer with a storage area. The floor area appeared unchanged.

READ: Kingston mayor confirms breach at building constructed by PNP councillor's company

Regarding the construction of the building on Lyndhurst Road in St Andrew by the JACDEN Group, for which Councillor Gordon is chairman, Swaby stated that the 'as-built' application submitted by the company was submitted under the previous KSAMC administration, led by former Mayor Delroy Williams for approval of a commercial development.

Following a thorough review of the updated plans and supporting documents, the Chief Engineering and Planning Department recommended the application for approval, he stated.

This recommendation, made between December 10, 2024, and January 7, 2025, was supported by the relevant external agencies, including the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) and the National Works Agency (NWA), and was approved by the meeting on January 8, 2025.

Last December, Swaby said a cease work order was placed on the development in November 2023, after it was discovered that the structure was a three-storey building, exceeding the two storeys specified in the application.

Swaby said several key requirements were subsequently imposed on the applicant to regularise the development and, as at April 30, 2024, the applicant had complied with all the requirements.

While giving the update on the amended applications, Swaby reaffirmed the corporation's commitment to upholding transparency.

 "The KSAMC remains steadfast in its mission to enforce accountability and ensure that all developments within Kingston and St Andrew comply with the highest standards."

He said the municipal corporation remains committed to serving the people of Kingston and St Andrew by fostering a responsible approach to urban development, guided by principles of accountability, fairness, and good governance.

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