TNAG-0657-FCO40-806-Town-planning-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 70

XCR(77)245

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In considering ways to meet these objections the Board was informed by the Public Works Department that allowing redevelopment of properties to the plot ratios of existing buildings would have negligible effect on the Peak traffic situation. The Board therefore agreed that the Note on plot ratio be amended to the effect that the maximum plot ratio for new domestic buildings in residential zones should not exceed 0.5 except where existing development was already in excess of 0.5, in which case new development should not exceed the plot ratio of existing develop- ment.

C

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At this time also the Board agreed a site for the multi-storey car park and provision for tourist buses, bus termini and taxi rank on the site of the existing bus terminus/taxi rank/carpark.

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In the meantime, hearings of objections to the 0.5 plot ratio were held up pending the outcome of a civil action by developers interested in 22 Plunketts Road (Objection C at Annex C). They contested the Town Planning Board's authority to stipulate a maximum plot ratio by the use of a Note on the face of a town plan. However, in the Supreme Court on 8th April 1974, the Chief Justice ruled that it was fully within the powers of the Town Planning Board to dictate a maximum plot ratio, and accord- ingly awarded judgement to Government. The subsequent enactment of the Town Planning (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance in August 1974 placed the validity of notes to Outline Zoning Plans, both past and future, beyond doubt.

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In April 1974 the Town Planning Board agreed that the hearing of objections should commence and that objectors should be informed that they would be allowed to redevelop to existing plot ratio, even where this exceeded 0.5 and invited to withdraw their objections. Hearings accord- ingly commenced in May 1974. A summary of all objections and their outcome is at Annex C.

G.S. 84

Plan LH 14/20A

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As a result of the consideration of objections, the Town Planning Board at its meeting on 20th June 1975 agreed to amend the draft Peak Outline Zoning Plan in two respects:

(a) The note imposing plot ratio control to be amended

to the effect that the maximum plot ratio for new domestic buildings in residential zones should not exceed 0.5 except where existing development was in excess of 0.5, in which cases new development should not exceed the plot ratio of existing develop- ment.

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