Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
MAYOR OF Kingston Desmond McKenzie last week warned developers wishing to build on river beds or in ponds to start withdrawing their applications from the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).
His warning comes after massive flooding in Kennedy Grove, Clarendon. Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Wilma struck the island, submerging several houses in Kennedy Grove.
But while the Government has since called for an investigation into the circumstances under which approval was given, Mr. McKenzie said a recurrence in Kingston and St. Andrew would be unlikely under his watch.
"Any developer that presents any plan to this council for consideration must know that once it is discovered that where the development is being proposed, it is prone to flooding, the developer can forget it," he warned.
Mr. McKenzie was speaking during a media briefing at the KSAC's Church Street, downtown Kingston office, last Thursday.
CAREFULLY SCRUTINISED
According to the mayor, every building plan would be carefully scrutinised to ensure they satisfied the requirements of the respective building codes.
"We will be working with the various Government entities to ensure that, whatever approval is given, it is going to be done after we have fully exhausted all the avenues and we have obtained all the requisite recommendations," he said.
Meanwhile, deputy mayor, Councillor Lee Clarke, who chairs the KSAC's Building and Town-Planning Committee, said that 'no building' signs would be erected in several Corporate Area communities.
He said those communities included New Haven, Wickie Wackie, sections of Caribbean Terrace in Harbour View, Taylor Land, and sections of Jacks Hill in St. Andrew, which he said were virtually a 'sand dome'.
"The lives of the people must be respected and the conditions in which the people in the city live must be respected," he said.
