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From Starting Points to Development Plan Hillside Conservation Areas, Februari 2013 1 2nd Public Meeting Hillside Conservation Areas From Starting Points to Development Plan Februari 2013
From Starting Points to Development Plan Hillside Conservation Areas, Februari 2013 1
2nd Public Meeting Hillside Conservation Areas
From Starting Points to Development PlanFebruari 2013
From Starting Points to Development Plan Hillside Conservation Areas, Februari 2013 2
Welcome by the initiator of this meeting
Deputy Prime Minister
William V. Marlin:
Ministry of Public Housing,
Spatial Planning, Environment
and Infrastructure
On behalf of Mr. William V.
Marlin, we welcome you to this
meeting to discuss the outline
of the preliminary draft
development plan of the
Hillside Conservation areas
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Welcome by the hosts of this meeting
o Louis Brown: Acting Secretary General VROMI
o Tatiana Arrindell: Moderator
o Hans Sellink: Dept. Head VROMI
o Thijs Sommers: Project Leader VROMI
o Mariska Ruiter: Project Leader Royal HaskoningDHV
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Agenda
o Explanation about the Development Plan
o Conservation areas/ ‘nature’
o Emilio Wilson Estate
o Belvedere Plantation
o Building possibilities within HCA
o Road network
o Cultural heritage
o Public facilities
o Draft Map Hillside Conservation Areas
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o
From Starting Points to Development Plan Hillside Conservation Areas, Februari 2013 6
o Legal framework for possible future development
o To designate and/or reserve land for desired use
o To prevent undesired development
o To offer legal security to residents about future development
It’s not an ‘Action Plan’; it’s a framework plan:
And, we will make it in consultation with you
Purpose of the Development Plan
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How does it work
The Development Plan contains:
A map: Designations
Regulations: What is allowed?
Elucidation: What, Why and How
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It is a framework plan: reserve space in terms of zoning with a
scope of 10 years
Not an action plan, a development plan does not include:
o Maintenance policies
o Detailed designs of roads, public facilities etc.
Above mentioned issues are also important, but should be
addressed in other plans/ policies with a different scope
Scope of the Development Plan
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The process to follow
1st public meeting: April 2012
PPT available on website
2nd public meeting: tonight
www.sintmaartengov.orgSub: •Government•Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure•Zoning / Development Plans
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Some issues and ideas mentioned:
o Preserve green hills for landscape, nature and recreation/
tourism
o Protect the caves / old phosphate mines on Billy Folly Hill
o Maintain sufficient space for residential development
o Not only if, but also how development should take place; make
clear regulations for retaining walls, runoff water, etc.
What did we do with them?
During this presentation we will address these issues in terms of
zoning proposals
The first meeting in April 2012
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Why Hillside Conservation Areas
Preserve Hillside Conservation areas for:
o Landscape and scenery
o Ecology
o Cultural heritage
o Recreation
o Tourism
Development that will be allowed at certain areas:
o Strict rules for density, height, excavations, etc.
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40 years of development on Sint Maarten(Cul-de-Sac Area)
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Hillside Conservation Areas
Areas designated as ‘Nature’, no development allowed:
Based on prevailing Hillside Policy:
1.> 200 m.
2.< 50 m. from tops / ridges with sky line
3. on slopes > 40 degrees
In addition to Hillside Policy
4. High value(ecological) areas
5. Areas that are already designated as conservation area in
granted planning permits
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Map no 1: No building > 200 m
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No 2: No building < 50 m from tops and ridges
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No 3: High value (ecological) areas
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Geneve Bay area
o Unique situation, Marine Park / Sea Side connected to Hillside area
o Enhanced protection of to the neighboring high value marine
environment
o Many species of (endangered) cacti
o Home to St Maarten indigenous plants
o Last significant coastal area on St Maarten not built upon
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Geneve Bay area
o Most of the area is not subject to the Hilside Policy
o Limited development will be allowed in order to preserve
most of the area
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No 4: No building > 40 degrees
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No 5: Green Planning Permits
o No 1,2,3,4 & 5: total area designated as ‘Nature’
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What does the designation ‘Nature’ mean?
o Primary function: restoration, development and maintenance of
ecological, landscape and natural values
o Secondary function:
- Recreation with little effect on the values above, such as
hiking, viewpoints
- Existing roads and planned new links
- Unpaved trails
- Public facilities
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Areas no longer part of HCA
Current ideas for development made it more logical to move two
areas to the adjacent Development Plans
o Lower part of Emilio Wilson Estate, now part of Cul-de-Sac
o Belvedere Plantation, now part of Middle Region
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Emilio Wilson Estate
‘W-U’: total 6 ha. to be detailed
o Low density residential area
o Reserve ample space for green / landscaping
o Reserve space for small scale agriculture / education
o Preserve structures of heritage value
‘Public park’
o Preserve structures of heritage
value by the principle of
‘conservation through
development’
‘Traffic’
o Reserve space for Link 7
with a 30 meter width for
further detailing of the
alignment
Higher parts of Emilio Wilson: part of Hillside Conservation Areas, ‘Nature’ designation
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Belvedere Plantation
Belvedere Historical Theme Park:
o Preserve/restore structures of
heritage value by the principle of
‘conservation through development’
o Diversification of the tourism
product
Main new functions:
Possibly a Golf course
Historical Theme Park
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Building possibilities within HCA
o Designation ‘Nature’: based on the 5 aforementioned criteria;
no development allowed
o Additional areas HCA: ‘Residential- To be Detailed’; possibility
for development under strict regulations
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Building possibilities within HCA
‘Residential- To be detailed’:
o Detailed subdivision plan has to be made by the developer,
and approved by the minister, based on the regulations of
the Development Plan
o Regulations to ensure a minimal environmental impact
o Strict building regulations, depending on height and
slope (low density)
o Parking regulations
o Minimal excavations
o Landscaping
o Watermanagement
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Attention for natural gutters
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o East-west connection (tunnels): draft alignment on map
o Links: 30m width for further detailing (in adjacent plan areas)
Road network / tunnels
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Tunnels
Possible alignments for the tunnel(s)
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o Protection: via Monument Ordinance, locations earmarked on map
o Enable appropriate use of monument or park to help finance
maintenance (e.g. Emilio Wilson and Belvedere in adjacent
Development Plans)
Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
Archaeology Monuments
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o Radio towers, Water tanks
o Wind turbines, Solar panels
o Footpaths, Pick nick areas
Public Facilities / Renewable Energy
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Public facilities
o Facilitate construction of utilities
o Study for alternative locations / solutions (EIA, depending on
the type of facility)
o Set requirements for:
- Accessibility
- Landscaping
- Aviation regulations
- Archaeological investigation
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Draft map HCA
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What’s next?
Public hearing Preliminary draft
development plan (EROP, art 4):
oMap / ‘Plankaart’
oRegulations / ‘Voorschriften’
oElucidation / ‘Toelichting’
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Thank you for your attention
You are invited to give additional input via our e-mail:
