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(b) The emission of paint mist, smoke and dust, if excessive, may cause eye and throat irritation to people nearby. In addition, these shops may cause littering, traffic (in the case of vehicle repair shops), and safety problems. However, there are no statistics on the total number of residents affected.
(c) As far as short term measures are concerned, the current policy is that no industrial undertaking of any kind will be permitted in a building which is restricted, under the lease, to residential use. Lands Department would take lease enforcement action against such industrial undertakings. No compensation nor relocation is offered to industrial undertakings displaced from residential buildings as a result of lease enforcement action. Lands Department would also terminate industrial undertakings in unsuitable areas held on short term tenancies/short term waivers.
Pollution problems associated with industrial undertakings in residential buildings can be dealt with under the provisions of the Air Pollution Control Ordinance, Water Pollution Ordinance and Waste Disposal Ordinance.
Measures by way of negotiation with the operators are also adopted. For instance, an informal code of practice has been formulated with the vehicle repair merchant association. Should it be complied with closely by the operators, it would reduce the impact of such undertakings on the residential area.
A large number of industrial undertakings are found in older residential areas and have probably been in existence before the area came under statutory planning control. Such industrial undertakings are tolerated. However, upon redevelopment, uses of the building would need to conform with the zoning of the plan. Industrial undertakings would thus be phased out in the long term from residential areas upon redevelopment.
Other long term measures would include identification of possible sites for accommodating potentially polluting industries in industrial buildings and disposal of suitable sites through land sales.
End/Thursday, November 2, 1995