1 Draft Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 30 May 2009
The Town Planning Board today (May 29) announced amendments to the draft Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The amendments mainly involve the imposition of building height and plot ratio/gross floor area restrictions in various development zones, the deletion of the "Commercial/Residential" ("C/R") zone and the rezoning of various sites from "C/R" and "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)") to "R(A)1", "R(A)2", "R(A)3", "R(A)4", "R(A)5", "R(A)6" and "R(A)7", each with specific plot ratio and building height restrictions.
Three strips of "non-building areas" and three strips of land subject to a maximum building height restriction of two storeys have also been designated.
In addition, existing roads previously covered by different zones have been rezoned to areas shown as "Road" to reflect their existing status. Moreover, several sites with free-standing Government, Institution or Community ("G/IC") buildings within the "R(A)" zone have been rezoned to "G/IC" while those sites that were developed for local open space purposes were rezoned to "Open Space" to reflect their current status. Other amendments include zoning boundary adjustments to reflect their as-built status.
The main objective of the amendments is to meet public aspirations for clearer planning control on the development intensity and building height of the urban areas. In view of the topography of Ma On Shan Area, different height bands are proposed to rise progressively from the waterfront to inland area and to fall progressively from the town centre and the western and eastern gateway nodes to respect the distinct urban form of the new town.
The draft Ma On Shan OZP No. S/MOS/15, incorporating the amendments, is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Town Planning Board Secretariat; the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Sha Tin, Tai Po & North District Planning Office; the Sha Tin and Tai Po District Offices, as well as the Sha Tin and Tai Po Rural Committees.
People can make written representation in respect of the amendments to the Board’s Secretary by July 29 this year. Representations made to the Board will be available for public inspection.
Copies of the draft Ma On Shan OZP incorporating the amendments are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. Members of the public can view the plan’s electronic version at the Board’s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
2 Approved South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 30 May 2009
The Town Planning Board today (May 29) announced amendments to the approved South West Kowloon Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The amendments mainly involve the rezoning of a site bounded by Lin Cheung Road, Jordan Road, Road D1 and Austin Road West from “Comprehensive Development Area” to “Comprehensive Development Area (1)” (“CDA(1)”); and the rezoning of a site generally bounded by Lin Cheung Road, Jordan Road and Hoi Wang Road from “Open Space”, “Government, Institution or Community” and an area shown as “Road” to “Open Space (1)” (“O(1)”).
The amendments also incorporate a set of Notes for the “CDA(1)” and “O(1)” zones.
The draft South West Kowloon OZP No. S/K20/23 incorporating the amendments is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office, the Sham Shui Po District Office and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office.
Any person can make written representation in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Board on or before July 29, 2009. Representations made to the Board will be available for public inspection.
Copies of the draft OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Board’s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
3 Tenders invited for construction of cycle tracks from Sheung Shui to Ma On Shan
Hong Kong Government, 30 May 2009
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (May 29) invited tenders for the construction of cycle tracks from Sheung Shui to Ma On Shan.
The works will include the construction of about five kilometres of cycle track with footpath to link up the existing cycle tracks in Fanling and Tai Po, building of associated bridges, decking of about 300 metres of nullah and reconstruction of a section of about two kilometres of existing access road along the cycle track.
The works will also include improvement works to selected sections of about one kilometre of the existing cycle tracks in Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tai Po and Sha Tin including widening to current standards and erection of additional road signs; provision of resting stations; laying of water mains, associated landscaping and ancillary works; as well as provision of environmental mitigation measures and implementation of an environmental monitoring and audit programme for the works.
The works are scheduled to commence in September and will complete in about 30 months.
The CEDD has commissioned Scott Wilson Ltd to design and supervise the construction works.
The invitation to tender was gazetted today. It will close at noon on July 10, 2009.
4 Tenders invited for noise barriers on Fanling Highway
Hong Kong Government, 30 May 2009
The Highways Department today (May 29) invited tenders for noise barriers on Fanling Highway between Po Shek Wu Road and MTR Fanling Station.
Tender submissions should be placed in the Government Secretariat tender box in the lift lobby on the lower ground floor of the Central Government Offices (East Wing), 20 Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong. Closing date is noon on July 10.
Under the invitation to tender gazetted today, the works mainly comprise the erection of sections of nearly 2,760-metre long cantilevered noise barriers and sections of vertical noise barriers approximately 350 metres long along Fanling Highway and its slip roads between Po Shek Wu Road and MTR Fanling Station; and ancillary works including related civil, geotechnical, roads and drainage, landscaping, road lighting, traffic aids, temporary traffic diversion and utilities diversion works.
The works are expected to commence in September this year and will take about 30 months to complete.
The Major Works Project Management Office of the Highways Department has appointed Meinhardt Infrastructure and Environment Limited to carry out the design and to supervise the construction works.
5 Tenderers for Tuen Mun Road Town Centre Section traffic improvement project invited to apply for prequalification
Hong Kong Government, 30 May 2009
The Highways Department today (May 29) invited interested tenderers for the design and build of traffic improvements to Tuen Mun Road Town Centre Section (TMRTCS) to apply for prequalification.
Under the notice for prequalification of tenderers gazetted today, the contract mainly comprises the design and construction of the following:
(a) widening of the TMRTCS between Yan Oi Town Square and Wong Chu Road of approximately 1.5 kilometres in length from a dual two-lane carriageway to a dual three-lane carriageway;
(b) resurfacing of existing section of Tuen Mun Road;
(c) construction of a single-lane flyover of approximately 450 metres in length, which extends from Tuen Hing Road and runs along Tsing Hoi Circuit to merge eventually with the Tuen Mun Road Kowloon-bound carriageway;
(d) reconstruction of the slip road of the existing Wong Chu Road of approximately 80 metres in length to facilitate proper merging with the new flyover mentioned in paragraph (c);
(e) demolition and reconstruction of four existing footbridges and provision of two temporary footbridges during the construction period;
(f) improvement of three existing traffic light signal-controlled junctions along Castle Peak Road between Tuen Hing Road and Hoi Wing Road;
(g) installation of noise barriers, semi enclosures and full enclosures; and
(h) associated civil, structural, landscaping, geotechnical works, and works on reprovisioning of existing facilities, environmental mitigation, drainage, road lighting, water mains and traffic aids.
The works are expected to commence in December this year and will take about 42 months to complete.
The Major Works Project Management Office of the Highways Department has appointed AECOM Asia Company Limited to supervise the design and build contract.
The prequalification document can be obtained at the office of the AECOM Asia Company Limited on 12th floor, Tower 2, Grand Central Plaza, 138 Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin, New Territories. Completed prequalification applications should be placed in the Highways Department tender box, 5/F, Ho Man Tin Government Offices, 88 Chung Hau Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong, not later than noon on July 8.
6 Residents hail To Kwa Wan redevelopment; garages worried
Joyce Ng, SCMP 30 May 2009
Residents of To Kwa Wan welcome the district's latest Urban Renewal Authority scheme but operators of vehicle repair and parts shops are worried about the impact on their businesses.
The authority yesterday announced its third redevelopment project in Ma Tau Kok, which would involve demolition of seven 52-year-old blocks, home to 349 people, and construction of an apartment block about 20 storeys high, with shops.
The HK$600 million medium-scale renewal project on the corner of San Shan Road and Pau Chung Street would supply 144 flats and is expected to be complete by 2016 or 2017.
The authority will come up with a compensation offer in six to 12 months. About HK$279 million of the development cost will be set aside to compensate 83 property owners.
The authority's director of acquisitions and clearance, Joseph Lee King-chi, said the blocks on the site were in bad condition, without lifts, and had illegal rooftop structures.
Private developers had taken on surrounding sites, he said, but the San Shan Road site was a challenge because of unresolved ownership problems, and it would be better for the authority to do the job.
Yeung Chun-hing said he would be happy to receive compensation and quit his home, which he had lived in for more than 20 years, but would prefer to move somewhere close to the neighbourhood. Water leaks and paint peeling off the walls had been troublesome in his flat and the rooftop cottage, he said.
Of the 13 shops on the ground floor, five are occupied by vehicle repair and parts businesses - a major trade in To Kwa Wan.
Tsui Yun-oi, who has run such a business with her husband in a rented unit for 11 years, said she was worried it would be difficult to find another place in an urban area to continue the business. "People think garages are dirty and there are not many places in the city we can rent."
A central location was important for the business to attract customers, she said, and moving to the New Territories or an industrial area would affect their income.
Kowloon City district councillor Wen Choy-bon agreed that the relocation of businesses was a problem with redevelopment, but said the project would help rejuvenate the old areas around the Kai Tak site.
The authority has covered about 100 buildings in the area through its maintenance subsidy scheme for the past four years and has previously redeveloped two residential sites.
