Public Hearing Preliminary Draft Development Plans (zoning plans) Dutch Quarter and Middle Region June 28, 2016 Development plan SXM September 2012
Welcome by the initiator of this public hearing On behalf of Angel C. Meyers Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure: We welcome you at this meeting to discuss the Preliminary Draft Development Plans: Dutch Quarter and Middle Region
Welcome by the hosts of this meeting Ministry of VROMI zoning team: Louis Brown: Secretary General Thijs Sommers: Project Leader Emmalexis Velasquez: PR officer Charlon Pompier: Policy Advisor Slide 3 of 54
Agenda General explanation about the Development Plans Topics Preliminary Draft Development Plans: Mobility Business activities Residential and public facilities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology General remarks and Preliminary Draft Maps Public Development Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft Draft Development 2012 Plans Plans Dutch Cole Bay Quarter and and Billy Middle Folly- Cay Region Bay
Purpose of a Development / Zoning Plan Legal framework for possible future development To designate and/or reserve land for desired use To prevent undesired development To offer legal security to residents about future development Scope: It s not an Action Plan; it s a framework plan reserve space in terms of zoning with a scope of 10 years on district / neighborhood level Public Development Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft Draft Development 2012 Plans Plans Dutch Cole Bay Quarter and and Billy Middle Folly- Cay Region Bay
Content of a development / zoning plan A Development Plans contains: A map with common zoning designations, such as Residential ; Regulations regarding both land use and building (height, density, etc.); Elucidation: what, why and how Public Development Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft Draft Development 2012 Plans Plans Dutch Cole Bay Quarter and and Billy Middle Folly- Cay Region Bay
Relation to other plans / policies the Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) is a coherent and comprehensive vision for sustainable spatial development of SXM The countrywide SDS provides a basis/ context for the more detailed zoning plans on a district scale Tonight we will focus on the zoning plans, but also provide more context by highlighting policy proposals from the SDS High order national goals and priorities e.g. relevant legislation and National Development Plan Spatial Development Strategy: highest level of spatial planning Development plans/ zoning plans: land use and building regulations on a district scale More detailed (sectoral) policies and action plans for the implementation of concrete projects Public Development Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft Draft Development 2012 Plans Plans Dutch Cole Bay Quarter and and Billy Middle Folly- Cay Region Bay
Process to follow for development plans 1 st public meeting: Points of Departure Points of Departure 2 nd public meeting Preliminary Draft Development Plan Public Hearing Draft Development Plan November 2012: 1 st public meeting, points of Departure (presentation on gov. website) August 2013: from starting points to development plan (presentation on gov. website) Tonight: Public Hearing Preliminary Draft Development Plans Public Review Advice from among others Committee of Experts and (final) decision making by Parliament Development Plan
Goal of this Public Hearing Public Hearing of the preliminary draft development plans as prescribed by the National Ordinance on Spatial Development Planning, popularly known as Zoning Ordinance (Article 4.1) Everyone can express their views and concerns regarding these preliminary draft development plans The outcome of this public hearing will be taken into account and the draft development plans will be put on public review for a period of 30 days accordingly One combined presentation about two separate preliminary draft development plans, namely Dutch Quarter and Middle Region
2ᶰᵈ public meeting recap Some of the issues discussed: Road network (Link 6) Development of Bethlehem and Belvedere estates Village centers for both areas Water management Public Development Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft Draft Development 2012 Plans Plans Dutch Cole Bay Quarter and and Billy Middle Folly- Cay Region Bay
Preliminary Draft Development Plans Main topics: Mobility Business activities Residential and public facilities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology
Preliminary Draft Development Plans Main topics: Mobility Business activities Residential and public facilities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology Public Development Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft Draft Development 2012 Plans Plans Dutch Cole Bay Quarter and and Billy Middle Folly- Cay Region Bay
Mobility Public Hearing Preliminary Draft Development Plan Simpson Bay, February 25, 2014 Slide 13 13 of of 5554 Development Public Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft 2012 Development Plans Dutch Quarter and Middle Region
Mobility Objectives in terms of zoning in order to improve mobility: Reserve space for a strategic connection from Dutch Quarter to Cul de Sac, Link 6 Improvement of secondary roads infrastructure Public Hearing Preliminary Draft Development Plan Simpson Bay, February 25, 2014 Slide 13 13 of of 5554
Mobility, Link 6 The eastern part, will lead from the Bethlehem Estate to the Waymouth Estate. This section consists of a new road The road connection continues over the hill, to LB Scott Road, along the existing Mildrum Road, which needs to be upgraded Public Hearing Preliminary Draft Development Plan Simpson Bay, February 25, 2014 Slide 13 13 of of 5554 Development Public Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft 2012 Development Plans Dutch Quarter and Middle Region
Mobility, Link 6 Traffic zoning designation for Link 6 in the development plan, with ample space reservation for further detailing of alignment Slide 13 13 of of 5554
Mobility, secondary road network Improvement of secondary road network to create by- passes, for example upgrading of Madrid Road as alternative connection between Dutch Quarter and Middle Region Subject to further study and made possible within underlying zoning designations, so not directly indicated on the map. Identification of secondary road system, with possible extra connection between Dutch Quarter and Middle Region via Madrid Road. Slide 13 13 of of 5554
Preliminary Draft Development Plans Main topics: Mobility Business activities Residential and public facilities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology Public Hearing Preliminary Draft Development Plan Simpson Bay, February 25, 2014 Slide Slide 1823 of of 5554 Development Public Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft Development 2012 Plans Dutch Quarter and Middle Region
Business activities
Business activities Objectives: Facilitate mixed (commercial/residential) use along sections of the main roads Reserve space for more significant commercial development at Bethlehem and Union Farm Locations Development of Belvedere will be addressed under cultural history and monuments
Business activities Mixed use of functions permitted by means of Center and Center- to be detailed zoning designation Small-scale business allowed along sections of the main roads by means of Business category 1 identifier
Business activities Development of Bethlehem Commercial node/ mixed use plan for Bethlehem Village at the border Main land-use designations on the map, such as Center, Residential and Mixed, which allows flexibility in detailing Proposed functions: retail, sport (cricket stadium), theatre, police station, school, residential, park, etc.
Business activities Development of Bethlehem, Village at the Border
Preliminary Draft Developments Main topics: Mobility Commercial Residential and public facilities Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology Slide 2534 of of 5554
Residential and public facilities
Residential and public facilities Objectives: Provide sufficient space in terms of zoning to cater for projected housing demand Maintain the mix of types of dwellings, while imposing building requirements for height, density and suchlike Facilitate village centers and other social / public functions
Residential Three different kind of residential zoning designations: Category 1: W -1: < 50m (existing residential areas) Category 2: W - 2: > 50m (existing residential areas) Category 3: W - U To be detailed (zoned for new residential development) Development plan SXM September 2012
Residential W-1 Residential-1 : lower lying areas (< 50 meter altitude) No minimum lot size Maximum building density of 40% Maximum building height of 10m.
Residential W-2 Residential-2 : higher areas (> 50 meter altitude) Minimum lot size and maximum building density based on elevation and slope of the area (translation of Hillside Policy) Maximum building height of 6,5m Construction of cistern is mandatory (3m² per bedroom)
Residential W-U Residential- to be detailed For large areas not yet built, without a planning permit, but that may be developed in the future Subdivision plan has to be made by the developer and to be approved by the Minister of VROMI based on the criteria of the Draft Development Plan (access, water management, etc.)
Residential Residential general regulations: all types of residential use (type of dwellings) are in principle allowed as long as they comply with building regulations; no commercial activities allowed except from home-based occupation such as architect or administration and small guesthouses, bed and breakfast; parking regulations: minimum of one parking space per dwelling plus one additional parking space for every two bedrooms existing rights such as irrevocable planning permits will be respected.
Residential Overview residential areas Dutch Quarter and Middle Region
Residential, Village Centers Encourage so called village centers within the neighborhoods Stimulates social cohesion, the quality of life, and will contribute to limiting traffic movements Facilitated within Center and / or Social zoning designation
Residential, Village Centers Possible locations Village Center Dutch Quarter
Residential, Village Centers Possible locations Village Center Middle Region
Residential, other social / public facilities Other social / public functions within residential zoning include: Multi purposes sport courses (possible within residential zoning designation) Neighborhood parks and green spaces (Secondary) school possible within Bethlehem development Cemeteries are running out of space, demand for an additional location: possibly within Dutch Quarter or Middle Region, location yet to be determined in
Preliminary Draft Development Plans Main topics: Mobility Business activities Residential and public facilities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology
Agriculture Objective: facilitate and encourage (small scale) agriculture also for the temporary use of empty lots
Agriculture Agriculture in principle allowed within every zoning designation Exemption can be granted for livestock farming, under certain conditions, the farm must not disproportionately affect the residential and living environment of the adjacent lands http://sxmfreedomfighters.com/agriculture/
Preliminary Draft Development Plans Main topics: Mobility Business activities Residential and public faiclities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology
Nature, landscape and water: nature and landscape
Nature, landscape and water: nature and landscape Objectives nature and landscape for Dutch Quarter and Middle Region zoning plans: Preservation of (higher) green hills Attention for stormwater water management, natural gutters and flood prone areas
Nature, landscape and water: nature and landscape Green hillsides: high scenic and ecological value, buffer for rainwater and prevention of erosion Therefore, preserve higher slopes of green hills as natural areas, also within the adjacent Development Plan HCA
Nature, landscape and water: water management Flooding is a transboundary issue Dutch and French Quarter Attention needed for stormwater management (e.g. water retention, flood proofing) French Quarter Dutch Quarter Flooding as a result of 2005 cloud brake, 150 mm in one hour (Unesco - IHE, 2010)
Nature, landscape and water: water management Storm water management plan for new developments: new development may not adversely affect lower lying area Attention for water retention and erosion control
Nature, landscape and water: water management Regulations for flood prone areas: minimum elevation of ground floor height (flood proof building) Protection of natural gutter by means of double zoning designation for Water management
Preliminary Draft Development Plans Main topics: Mobility Business activities Residential and public facilities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology Development Public Hearing plan Preliminary SXM September Draft 2012 Development Plans Dutch Quarter and Middle Region
Cultural history and archeology Objectives for both the Spatial Development Strategy and Dutch Quarter and Middle Region zoning plans: Protecting potentially present artifacts by conducting research prior to development of area with a high archeological value Enable preservation driven development of monuments in terms of zoning (in this case: Belvedere, Bethlehem and Union Farm)
Cultural history and archeology: monuments Designated monuments are protected via the Monument Ordinance and marked on the map of the Development Plan (awareness function) Bethlehem, Belvedere and the Union Farm plantation house are designated monuments within the plan areas
Cultural history and archeology: monuments Preservation driven development of monuments Development plans make new potential use of monuments possible which is required to maintain the monuments Example: planned Historical Park and possible Golf course in Belvedere
Cultural history and archeology: monuments Historical Theme Park Belvedere; also serves as an addition / diversification of the tourism product
Cultural history and archeology: archeological value Double zoning with Value- Archeological : for areas with a expected high archeological value, development might only be allowed if the archeological value is not at stake; evaluation by (VROMI) specialist, field research and preservation of artifacts might be required in some occasions; the Minister may entirely or partly remove the Value- Archeological zoning from the map if, on the basis of archaeological investigation, no archeological values were found to be present.
Preliminary Draft Development Plans Main topics: Mobility Business activities Residential and public facilities Agriculture Nature, landscape and water Cultural history and archeology General remarks and Preliminary Draft Maps
General remark: existing situations What if existing situation (building and/or usage, or building permit) is different from the Development Plan? -> Situation can be maintained, if: it was legally put there, and; it was already there before publication of Draft Development plan
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Preliminary Draft Map Dutch Quarter
Preliminary Draft Map Middle Region
What is next? 1 st public meeting: Points of Departure Points of Departure 2 nd public meeting Preliminary Draft Development Plan Public Hearing Draft Development Plan Public Review Advice from among others Committee of Experts and (final) decision making by Parliament Development Plan Public Review of the Draft Development Plans. Everyone will be invited to review and submit their written comments/ objections to the Minister of VROMI Will be announced through the local news media shortly, stay tuned!
Thank you for your attention Questions, comments? This presentation will be uploaded to: www.sintmaartengov.org > Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure > Zoning/ Development Plans