KSAMC announces panel to review building approval process
Published:Wednesday | January 29, 2025 | 4:00 PM
Mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, has announced the establishment of a three-member review panel aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation's (KSAMC) development approval process.
The panel is comprised of Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Technology, Jamaica, Dr Copeland Stupart; Urban and Regional Planning Consultant Lorna Perkins; and real estate, urban planning and sustainable development consultant, Kevin D Guscott.
A media release from the KSAMC on Wednesday said the independent panel will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the procedures, laws, and regulations governing the municipal corporation’s planning and development framework.
"The initiative follows concerns raised over the last three years about inefficiencies in the development approval processes and the enforcement of planning and building guidelines. Issues such as public dissatisfaction, litigation, and challenges in balancing the interests of residents, developers, and regulators have underscored the need for an objective evaluation," the KSAMC noted.
The KSAMC said the panel’s work will focus on identifying weaknesses and deficiencies within the current development application process and proposing actionable recommendations. Key objectives include:
• Aligning municipal processes with international best practices.
• Developing clear procedures to enhance transparency and consistency.
• Establishing a planning risk profile for applications.
• Enhancing resource allocation and stakeholder engagement.
• Fostering development that is safe, inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and economically viable.
The deliverables will include a comprehensive assessment document, recommendations for updated procedures for application processing, and a public awareness presentation to share findings and plans as well as a full implementation and monitoring plan.
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