Wednesday, September 22– More consultation is forthcoming for the Carrot Bay Development Plan 2010 – 2020 to give residents the opportunity to express their concerns and suggestions on the way forward.
Over 60 residents came out to hear of the development plans for the Carrot Bay community at a public meeting last Thursday at the Abraham Leonard Community Centre.
Chief Planner in the Town and Country Planning Department Mrs. Marva Titley-Smith welcomed residents and provided an overview of the meeting’s purpose.
“We have some issues that we want to discuss in terms of the physical development of Carrot Bay. We have some ideas as well but we want to get your feedback in terms of options for this community’s development,” the Chief Planner said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Property Sales
Deputy Chairman of the Planning Authority Mr. Edmund Maduro chaired the night’s meeting and said it was an opportunity to develop proper procedures for future generations, “Five hundred years down the road, those who come after us should say that our forefathers planned well; we can build our houses, we can make our homes and we can enjoy them.”
Mr. Louis Potter, Consultant with L. Potter and Associates presented an overview of the development process which will be conducted in four stages: survey, analysis, plan and development guidelines.
The presentation also identified the methodology, need for retaining walls, erosion, and the need to preserve the natural ghuts.
Mr. Potter highlighted the topography of the soil and its ability to deteriorate quickly once left exposed. This information addressed an area of concern to potential homeowners in the area. The steepness of the slope, the ability to cut roads into the hillsides and the congestion of the north shore coastal road were other areas identified by the consultant to be addressed for future development.
ADVERTISEMENT
Attendees were given hard copies of the consultant’s presentation to review in preparation for the next meeting. They also received a copy of the ‘Slope Vulnerability and Landslide Potential in the British Virgin Islands’ report, submitted to the Department of Disaster Management from Dr. James Joyce, a Professor of Geology in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
A few residents were able to share their development perspective before the meeting concluded prematurely due to a power outage. Suggestions mentioned included the building of an alternative road, more reclamation and development plans that would minimizes or eliminate flooding in the area.
Residents received a questionnaire which encouraged them to identify two projects to be implemented in Carrot Bay within the next two years. They were also asked to list their top three areas of concern and select a reclamation preference. Residents are encouraged to return completed questionnaires to the Town & Country Planning Department located on the main floor of the West Atrium in the Central Administration Complex. The Department will use feedback from the questionnaires to help shape the development options. The date and time of the next meeting will be announced in the near future.
The Town and Country Planning Department operates under the umbrella of the Premier’s Office and is responsible for ensuring the orderly and progressive development of land in the Virgin Islands. The Planning Authority is responsible for guiding development through the preparation of development plans and the processing of applications for development permission.
