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1. Resumption of land for urban renewal projects in Tai Kok Tsui gazetted

2. 16 draft Outline Zoning Plans amended

3. Approved Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan amended

4. Tender invited for Tai Wai Maintenance Centre property development project

1. Resumption of land for urban renewal projects in Tai Kok Tsui gazetted
Hong Kong Government, 24 February 2006

The Lands Department today (February 24) announced the resumption of land for two redevelopment projects of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) in Larch Street/Fir Street and Pine Street/Anchor Street, Tai Kok Tsui.

The two redevelopment projects are included in the URA’s Business Plan for 2004/05. The implementation will help to rejuvenate the old district concerned and improve the living conditions of residents.

A total of 83 interests of the two sites, 36 in Larch Street/Fir Street and 47 in Pine Street/Anchor Street, will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. The affected interests will revert to the Government three months after the date of the resumption notice being affixed on site.  Details of the private land affected are contained in the Gazette published today.

Apart from their entitlement to statutory compensation, eligible owners of domestic properties will be offered an ex-gratia home purchase allowance or supplementary allowance as appropriate.

Owners and tenants affected may make statutory claims under the Lands Resumption Ordinance and, if the claims cannot be settled by agreement, may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication.  Any professional fees reasonably incurred for making such a claim may be reimbursed by Government.  Occupiers of commercial properties may also be eligible for an ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to make statutory claims for business loss and disturbance.

Eligible domestic occupiers will be offered rehousing or ex-gratia cash allowance in lieu of rehousing by the URA.  Rehousing will be in units provided by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Housing Society or the URA itself.

Upon completion of resumption and clearance, the two sites covering respective areas of about 2,176 and 2,300 square metres will be granted to the URA at nominal premium for redevelopment.

he two projects will contribute to general environmental improvements in the locality. Mixed use development is permitted on the sites and the current proposals for the two sites are for residential developments with commercial use on the lower floors.

2. 16 draft Outline Zoning Plans amended
Hong Kong Government, 24 February 2006

The Town Planning Board today (February 24) announced amendments to 16 draft Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs).

The amendments involve revision to the definition of "existing building" in the covering Notes of the OZPs by deleting the reference to "and any other Government requirements, as may be applicable"; and refinement to the planning intention in the Notes for the "Open Space" zone of the draft Shek Kong, Pak Kong and Sha Kok Mei, Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling, and Ting Kok OZPs to clearly set out the space for recreational uses in this zone is public space.

Amendments also include deletion of the restriction of "(Container Frieght Station, Logistics Centre only)" from the term "Cargo Handling and Forwarding Facility (Container Frieght Station, Logistics Centre only)" in Column 2 of the Notes for the "Industrial (Group D)" and "Open Storage" zones of the draft Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling OZP.

The 16 OZPs amended are as follows:

- Draft Mui Wo Fringe OZP No. S/I-MWF/7
- Draft Pak Kong and Sha Kok Mei OZP No. S/SK-PK/10
- Draft Kwun Yam Shan and Fa Sam Hang OZP No. S/ST-KYS/10
- Draft Pat Heung OZP No. S/YL-PH/10
- Draft Sheung Pak Nai and Ha Pak Nai OZP No. S/YL-PN/8
- Draft Shek Kong OZP No. S/YL-SK/8
- Draft Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling OZP No. S/NE-FTA/9
- Draft Hung Lung Hang OZP No. S/NE-HLH/6
- Draft Hok Tau OZP No. S/NE-HT/4
- Draft Luk Keng and Wo Hang OZP No. S/NE-LK/10
- Draft Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South OZP No. S/NE-LYT/11
- Draft Man Uk Pin OZP No. S/NE-MUP/10
- Draft Ping Kong OZP No. S/NE-PK/10
- Draft Ting Kok OZP No. S/NE-TK/12
- Draft Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling OZP No. S/NE-TKL/11
- Draft Wo Keng Shan OZP No. S/NE-WKS/7

The plans incorporating the amendments are now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road; the Planning Enquiry Counters and the relevant District Planning Offices, District Offices and/or Rural Committees.

For the draft Ting Kok OZP, anyone can make representation to the board in respect of the amendments on or before April 24, 2006.

For the remaining 15 plans, anyone affected by the amendments can submit a written objection to the Secretary of the board on or before March 17, 2006.

Copies of the draft OZPs are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plans can be seen on the Board's website at www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

3. Approved Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 24 February 2006

The Town Planning Board today (February 24) announced amendments to the approved Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The amendments mainly involve imposing building height restrictions for "Commercial", "Residential (Group C)", "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") and "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Sports and Recreation Club" zones; and rezoning an area at the junction of Hereford Road and Renfrew Road from "Open Space" to "G/IC(8)".

Opportunity is also taken to update the Notes of the OZP in accordance with the latest refinements to the Revised Master Schedule of Notes to Statutory Plans.

The draft Kowloon Tong OZP No. S/K18/12 incorporating the amendments is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Kowloon District Planning Office and the Kowloon City District Office.

Anyone can make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before April 24, 2006. Representations made to the Town Planning Board will be made available for public inspection.

opies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

4. Tender invited for Tai Wai Maintenance Centre property development project
KCRC Press Release, 24 February 2006

Invitations have been sent to the shortlisted developers today to invite submissions of tender for the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation’s (KCRC’s) Tai Wai Maintenance Centre property development project by 12:00 noon on 17 March 2006.

KCRC proposes to implement the project under two joint venture packages. Tender 1 includes Site B and Site C while Tender 2 includes Site D.

KCRC spokesman said the Corporation had reached an understanding with the Government’s Lands Department regarding the Phase I premium negotiation of the two packages, and expected to receive a formal offer shortly. Phase I premium negotiation covers only Site B of Tender 1 and Site D of Tender 2, while the premium of Site C in Tender 1 will be separately handled in phase II at a later stage.

“The land premium now agreed in principle was reached after an extended period of negotiation between Lands Department and the Corporation, during which both parties have made concessions in order to arrive at an understanding,” the KCRC spokesman said.

“We believe the land premium agreed is attractive to interested developers,” he continued.

Occupying an area of about 7.06 hectares, the project has an approximate gross floor area of 339,845 sq. m., comprising 313,955 sq. m. for residential use and 25,890 sq. m. for non-residential use.

The current development proposal comprises 12 residential towers housing about 4,304 flats, two schools and one Integrated Use Centre facility. The Tai Wai Maintenance Centre at ground level of the development podium has already been completed and put into operation in December 2004.

According to the current programme, the tenders (i.e. Tender 1 and Tender 2) for the project will be awarded in April 2006, target for completion in phases by 2010.

A total of 24 expressions of interest were received for the joint venture property development for Tai Wai Maintenance Centre at the close of submission on 11 November 2005.