More parking spaces is poor use of GT land
(CNS): A planning application by the developers of Cricket Square to create a new parking lot along Whitman Seymour Road in George Town is a poor use of land and would add to the growing heat problems in the capital, the Department of Environment has advised. Four years ago, planning ministry officials raised concerns about the estimated 14,000 parking spaces built in the centre of town over that are not being fully utilised.
Nevertheless, the application is likely to be approved when it is heard by the Central Planning Authority today (Wednesday). According to the agenda, the property is zoned General Commercial, and “there are no particular concerns with the application”. The Department of Planning has therefore recommended that the CPA grant planning permission for this additional 27-space lot.
However, in its submissions on behalf of the National Conservation Council, the DoE pointed out that pouring more concrete just for parking in downtown George Town is not only unsustainable and creates environmental hazards, it also flies in the face of the current government policy to revitalize the central area of the capital and create a more pedestrian-friendly zone.
The site is already man-modified and of limited ecological value, but the DoE said the conversion of large areas of land to paved parking is a poor use for that land, given the goal to “improve walkability and accessibility in central George Town”.
The department’s technical experts said, “Large paved areas can discourage walking and decrease the vibrancy and liveliness of streets-capes, as well as contribute to environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions. Large paved areas can contribute to the heat island effect, raising local temperatures and leading to increased energy consumption to meet cooling demand.”
The DoE also warned that the impermeability of typical paving materials increases stormwater drainage demand for the site and the surrounding area.
“We highly recommend that the applicant considers the incorporation of sustainable design features to help mitigate some of the environmental impacts associated with traditional single-level parking lots,” the DoE stated. “The Integration of renewable energy sources such as solar panels over the parking should be considered to help offset the additional cooling demand resulting from the additional paved area, as well as improve the utilisation of the land by adding other beneficial functions such as renewable electricity and shade.”
Speaking at a town hall meeting more than four years ago about the George Town revitalization project, Charles Brown, the senior policy officer in the planning ministry, said the planning law had created a situation where almost half of the capital’s land is dedicated to parking lots, but because they belong to private buildings, many of them go unused. The law still requires developers to include large numbers of parking spaces on or near the buildings they construct, and much of it is not accessible.
At the time, the ministry said it had plans to take another look at this requirement, which has created the unintended consequence of thousands of empty parking spaces, even though most drivers cannot find one. But to date, no changes have been made and all projects still require an unsustainable level of parking space.
See the application on the CPA agenda for Wednesday’s meeting in the CNS Library
(scroll down to “Cricket Square”).
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Category: development, Local News
Government has the old Tower Build land in the central business District that can be used and the people of the Cayman Islands can benefit from a paid multiple storeys
vehicle parking spaces when any large functions are host in George Town, during the work week. out dated planning regulations for parking spaces for development needs to be reviewed also and this same
structure can be used as a hurr shelter in GeorgeTown. ..
with hurricanes and the lack of space. Parkades, should be the only acceptable option.
since buildings can now go 10 levels. A 10 level parkade would help everyone.
The lack of parking is the main reason I refuse to go into town to do anything if I can avoid it. I’d be willing to pay $1/hr for convenience and proximity if it was available.
Just as subdivision developers are required to allocate a portion of the land to public open space, so should some of the land that would be used for private parking be allocated to public parking spaces and non-paved open space.
I also agree with those who are for parking garages and going up rather than out.
It is unfortunate that Cayman seems to want to continually embrace a very old format of traffic management and urban development. We are car centric, similar to the US which is no better because of it. We have been hearing about public transport but nothing has been realized and what has been proposed is also an old school approach which is already outdated so whenever it is implemented here will be ancient to say the least and more importantly less valuable/effective.
Solution suggestions:
1) Instead of a new concrete highway – why not a monorail from East to Town. (of course this is not a stand alone suggestion but a part)
2) Go up as another commentor noted for parking
3) reduce the need for every individual to drive – make the districts more walkable (but I see more side walks being demolished in the name of development).
Check out ‘Not Just Bikes’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOc8ASeHYNw- A youtuber who offers comparisons between car centric cities and those who actively work on reducing the continued reliance on cars which also fosters community – of course these suggestions would need to be amended for Cayman but I think it is possible. We just need those who can make this happen start paying attention and not be so money centric but…
Minimum parking space requirements, which are not based on any real analysis, are what kills downtowns. Cayman is locked into the decades-old mentality of “build bigger roads to reduce traffic” and “build bigger parking lots around buildings”. This scenario has made many once-great cities unlivable and impoverished, as the proportion of acreage which does not generate revenue steadily increases.
With a little critical thinking, one would quickly realize that. Developers need to start building parking within the building. For example, the basement, 1st and second floors should be parking. You can see Dart’s greed now—a bunch of new buildings with no parking. Camana Bay has a vast parking issue that’s not being addressed. Just take a look at the new Kapok building. Do you think there’s enough parking for residents and visitors at total capacity?
Nonsense. That parking lot is huge and never even half filled.
Camana bay is one of the few places with more than enough parking – the issue is that everyone wants to park right in front of the cinema/ice cream store.
The parking building is always empty from the 2nd floor up.
Dont be lazy – look ah likkle
Why would we need more parking spaces when Kenny’s reimagined world-class state of the art public transport system is imminent?
DOE needs to pick their battles a bit better.
A lot better.
If only they could “pick their battles.” They are tasked with providing technical environmental feedback on planning applications. This is part of their job. And they are battling every single day against outdated and greed driven policies and mindsets. Indeed, if the country was more motivated to give 2 snaps about anything other than money, maybe they could focus on the far more important work of protecting our native species and natural resources.
GO UP!!! Parking garages with several floors will save land and provide high and dry places to store vehicles during storms. Top the garage with solar. – win-win.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
and add solar charging facilities.
YES, I frequent the businesses that do have charging facilities 100% more than those that dont
I’ve been saying for years, if they are putting up a parking lot, they should be required to put commercial solar above it. makes better use of the land and it would provide shad for customers.
#worldclassmyass
😂 😂 😂 😂
This will be approved. The planning law requires a specific number of parking spaces for buildings, how can the CPA be expected to not follow the law ? The DOE is simply muddying the water by throwing up this objection which has no basis in law! If the application is not approved I’m sure the developer will be successful in a judicial review application!
It will be approved because of who is bringing it forward. All this is just window dressing.
It will be approved because complies with the existing laws and regulations.
Most people don’t go into town because there is no where to park, its almost exclusively for the cruise ship tourists, which is pretty sad and the reason no money wants to invest to make it nice. If you need parking, go up! Why aren’t there two 6 story parking garages with public parking? There is no need to make one lot of 26 spaces when it could cater to 126 thereby leaving the next lot to be paved grass instead. How is this a novel idea?
Cheaper
more wonderland stuff.
no proper development plan for the island, no improvements to sub-standard public transport system but then say car-parks are a waste of land?
‘They paved paradise and put up a parking lot…’
Ah yea, Whitman Seymour Road, that world renowned “paradise”.
Well, its small area, that was historically not tainted until recent development trends.
Where you come from though, has Undesirable states, cities, villages and towns. And in some cases, entire countries.
Cricket square is weird. They boast about their organic gardens for the Brasserie and their (one) LEED building. But the vast majority of their acreage is parking spots. Besides the Brasserie garden the landscapers use a ton of pesticides. There are a handful of neem trees but beyond that virtually no shade trees whatsoever.
It just keeps sprawling and sprawling and nobody really says anything. There is no long term plan for traffic in that area which there should be since they keep adding parking spaces (which they bill the tenants for btw).
They do have that driveway that connects Sheddon Rd to Elgin ave but they use a gate on the sheddon side so only they can use it. I’m not 100% sure but I think that pathway is actually a public right of way and the use of a gate blocking it is illegal. Not sure but maybe CNS could research?
I’ve heard that as well. The pathway between shedden rd and elgin is a right of way and should not have gates blocking public from entering and exiting.
Lots of luck on that as money talks and bullsh*& walks!
It’s Shedden
Looked it up on lands and survey and there is a right of way there. As far as I know that means the gate can’t be there.
Thoughts anyone?
It is a private R.O.W. not public…
I’m not a fan but to be fair, the gate doesn’t block any rights of way or prevent anyone from traversing any.
depends if it is a vehicular or pedestrian ROW and who it is in in favour of.
A pedestrian ROW you can put up a car gate and let people walk around.
A vehicular ROW through property A to the benefit of (access of) property B, property A can’t block property B from accessing it. But if you own properties A & B you can probably do what you wish.
A ROW is not a road or even a public path. Public Rights-of-Way, i.e., public paths or trails, are a third category.
Yet Caymanians keep selling their land to them and others to expand. Then complain about what they create afterwards.
CPA won’t listen anyway!!!
The present CPA is one of the most pro-development which has ever existed. They’ve fully embraced the STUPID suggestions that Cayman needs over 100K people, CPA is targeting for 130K.
I know!!
So stop selling unna land and they can’t get to fulfil their greedy agenda!
Same people who won’t allow grasscrete parking lots. #worldclass
The 7digit salary accountants at Cricket won’t like parking their Q8 or Porsche miles away, they want to be able to see it from their 5th floor corner window.
Are you suggesting people would be fine parking “miles away”?
Christ, I want to see my beat up 12 year old ford truck from my window too! What’s your point ?
Money talks
“More parking spaces is poor use of GT land”
As if this would stop the carnival
Hell with dem green spaces