Draft Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan amended
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     The Town Planning Board today (May 29) announced amendments to the draft Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The amendments mainly involve the imposition of building height and plot ratio/gross floor area restrictions in various development zones, the deletion of the "Commercial/Residential" ("C/R") zone and the rezoning of various sites from "C/R" and "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)") to "R(A)1", "R(A)2", "R(A)3", "R(A)4", "R(A)5", "R(A)6" and "R(A)7", each with specific plot ratio and building height restrictions.

     Three strips of "non-building areas" and three strips of land subject to a maximum building height restriction of two storeys have also been designated.  

     In addition, existing roads previously covered by different zones have been rezoned to areas shown as "Road" to reflect their existing status.  Moreover, several sites with free-standing Government, Institution or Community ("G/IC") buildings within the "R(A)" zone have been rezoned to "G/IC" while those sites that were developed for local open space purposes were rezoned to "Open Space" to reflect their current status.  Other amendments include zoning boundary adjustments to reflect their as-built status.

     The main objective of the amendments is to meet public aspirations for clearer planning control on the development intensity and building height of the urban areas.    In view of the topography of Ma On Shan Area, different height bands are proposed to rise progressively from the waterfront to inland area and to fall progressively from the town centre and the western and eastern gateway nodes to respect the distinct urban form of the new town.

     The draft Ma On Shan OZP No. S/MOS/15, incorporating the amendments, is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Town Planning Board Secretariat; the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Sha Tin, Tai Po & North District Planning Office; the Sha Tin and Tai Po District Offices, as well as the Sha Tin and Tai Po Rural Committees.

     People can make written representation in respect of the amendments to the Boardˇ¦s Secretary by July 29 this year.  Representations made to the Board will be available for public inspection.

     Copies of the draft Ma On Shan OZP incorporating the amendments are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei.  Members of the public can view the planˇ¦s electronic version at the Boardˇ¦s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

Ends/Friday, May 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:16

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