KSAC Open for Discussion – Mayor

Mayor of Kingston, Senator Desmond McKenzie, has said that the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), is open for discussion with anyone who has been served a notice for building violation.
He also urged companies and individuals to pay arrears owing to the Corporation, and for developers to seek the relevant approval of the KSAC, before proceeding with construction works.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with the Inland Revenue Department, at the KSAC’s Church Street offices on August 4, the Mayor said that due to continued construction without the relevant approval, there has been a steady decline in revenues from the Corporation’s building department. He informed that currently, there are some 183 known building violations taking place across the municipality.
“Perhaps, seven out of every 10 construction taking place in the city, is being undertaken without the Council’s approval, without the involvement of the Council. It is an issue that we have gained some success, where we have seen the revenues of the Council increase in some ways. It’s not just about revenue though, it’s about the whole question of maintaining law and order,” he told journalists.
He pointed out that currently, there are 13 appeals before the Office of the Prime Minister; six before the Supreme Court, and 10 before the Resident Magistrates’ Court. Outside of these, discussions are being held with applicants who have gone to the KSAC to settle their situation, said the Mayor.
The Mayor said the KSAC would not renege on the drive to ensure that persons apply for approval before beginning construction, and that although the court process is lengthy, “we are prepared to wait in line.”
Pointing to what he said was a major success of a case brought against a developer at 14 Caledonia Avenue, Senator McKenzie said that an Order, which was issued for the owner of the premises to demolish the buildings there, which were built illegally, had expired on August 4.
“The Court ruled in favour of the KSAC, and the owner of the premises was advised that he has 35 days from the date when the Order was issued by the Supreme Court, to pull down and demolish the buildings, and to return the land back to its original state,” the Mayor informed, “so come midnight, the Town Clerk has been so instructed that at the expiration of the Order, he must move expeditiously to enforce the Order of the Court, so that the buildings will be taken down. All the notices have been served.”
Meanwhile, Senator McKenzie used the opportunity to advise persons investing in houses, such as apartments, to be cautious when developing and to ensure that, in terms of specification, the houses they are investing in, are the ones for which titles will be issued.
“I want to advise members of the public to be careful of what you are spending your money on. You will see advertisements advertising a one-bedroom situation. When you get involved, after some discussions, you are told that you can get a two-bedroom apartment, when in fact the KSAC has only approved a one-bedroom apartment. So, you as an investor, when the title is to be issued, the KSAC can’t issue a title for a two-bedroom house, because the KSAC did not approve a two-bedroom development,” the Mayor pointed out.
He advised investors to check with the KSAC, to find out if approval was granted for a development, and what type of approval was granted.