Politicians blamed for hike in illegal construction
Published:Wednesday | July 13, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Brian Bonitto, Special Assignment Editor
Desmond McKenzie, mayor of Kingston and chairman of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), says politicians' lack of will helped fuel illegal construction throughout the Corporate Area.
"They [the politicians] felt if they had taken a position, it would have hurt them politically. So, they closed their eyes to many of the activities taking place," said McKenzie.
The KSAC chairman was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of St Andrew North's Monday evening meeting at the Wyndham Kingston hotel in New Kingston.
He said in the late 1970s, many decisions made in council were taken along political party lines.
"This has come back to haunt us now," McKenzie argued. "And, many of the problems we face now are going to be difficult to get rid of."
He said in the 1990s, an amendment was made to the law which saw the KSAC further hampered in the execution of its duties.
"So, when the KSAC said 'No', you could now appeal to the minister. And, the minister could rule one way or another," he said.
"And, while they are appealing, they are building."
In recent weeks, the KSAC demolished two multimillion-dollar buildings in St Andrew which ran counter to the city's Town and Country Planning Act.
3 more for demolition
One of the buildings was a bowling alley located on South Avenue, while the other was a 44-room dwelling on Coleyville Avenue which was initially approved as a two-bedroom house. The council has earmarked another three buildings for demolition.
The mayor said seven out of every 10 construction projects in the Corporate Area are being done without the KSAC's approval. He, however, encouraged persons to make use of the KSAC's six-week amnesty which began on Monday.
"Take in whatever drawings you have to be reviewed. We will see whether or not it is possible, for the approval to be granted for the work that has already been done," he said. "If the buildings can be approved, we will grant the approval."