Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake said on Thursday that the preliminary draft development plan that was presented during the public hearing on Tuesday, 25 February is now available online for download.
Residents and stakeholders can download the draft plan by going to the Government website (www.sintmaartengov.org) and select the drop down tab "Government," followed by "Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure (MinVROMI)."
On the aforementioned page you then go to "Zoning/Development Plans" and a page will open with an interactive map. Select the Simpson Bay area map and it will show you the presentations various presentation with the public hearing preliminary draft development plan at the top. The files are in a PDF file and are downloadable.
"I appreciate the comments and views from all those present at the public hearing. The pleas of the people from Simpson Bay were passionate. I respect the views presented and I also appreciate the candidness. As a society we all have to be open and in my back to basics approach I believe in full transparency.
"The community where development is envisioned should have a full understanding about their neighbourhood and what proposals urban planners prepare for public discussions. It was a lively passionate discussion, and I have great respect for all views presented," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Thursday.
A 30-day period for public review will start the day after the publication of the draft development plan. This will be announced in the newspapers accordingly.
During the 30-day period of public review, everyone has the opportunity to submit their written concerns/objections to Minister of VROMI as prescribed by the National Ordinance on Spatial Development Planning.
An independent committee of experts as prescribed by the aforementioned ordinance will advise on the written concerns/objections. Minister VROMI nor the independent committee decide on the draft development plan and on the concerns/objections.
Parliament has the final say on the draft development plan and with respect to the concerns/objections.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Hon. Maurice Lake addressing the residents of the Simpson Bay community at the Tuesday public hearing.