An application by local businessman, Kel Thompson, for a Ticket Office with Trellis, Restroom Facility, Storage Building, Tour Operator Sales Area and Mobile Food Truck Staging Area on Block OPY Parcel 190 (F14-0221) (P14-1007 (CS) has been turned down by the Cayman Islands Central Planning Authority (CPA).

The area in question is on the waterfront in George Town that has just been ‘beautified’ by the addition of a boardwalk.

The CPA meeting took place on January 21st and the reasons given for not allowing the development involved setback requirements as:

1. The proposed buildings do not comply with the minimum required setback from the high water mark per Regulation 8(10)(a) of the Development and Planning Regulations (2013 Revision) and the Authority is of the opinion that the applicant did not demonstrate any acceptable reasons or exceptional circumstance why the lesser setbacks should be allowed per Regulation 8(13)(b).

2. The proposed buildings do not comply with the minimum required side and roads setbacks per Regulation 8(8)(b) of the Development and Planning Regulations (2013
Revision) and the Authority is of the opinion that the applicant did not demonstrate
any acceptable reasons or exceptional circumstance why the lesser setbacks should be allowed per Regulation 8(13)(b).

3. Section 2.6 of The Development Plan 1997 sets out the general purposes of development setbacks. Subregulation (c) states that one purpose of a setback is to maintain and enhance the quality and character of development fronting a road. The Authority is of the view that in order for the subject lands to accommodate the proposed development, significant setback variances would have to be granted.

It is not known at this time whether decision will be appealed.

IMAGE: Boardwalk