Property owners to feel wrath of Corporation

THE PORT-OF-SPAIN City Corporation is promising to use the heavy hand of the law in dealing with property owners who illegally renovate or convert properties without approval. Several notices have already been sent to offending persons advising them of their illegal action and the Corporation’s power to demolish the structures. Councillor for St James/Woodbrook, and chairman of the Planning and Development Committee at the Corporation, Wendell Stephen, told reporters yesterday at Queen’s Hall that over the last couple of years there has been an increase in renovation and conversion of properties from residential to commercial, without the necessary approvals from the Town and Country Division and the Corporation.

He stressed that “approval must be given before properties can be altered in any part of the country.” He said most of the properties converted from residential to commercial were located in his district, Woodbrook and St James. Stephen said the Corporation has the option to demolish such properties as a last resort, and promised that action will be taken because the problem has become the norm and is increasing. He said two months ago a South Quay property was demolished. Stephen explained that before demolition crews can be despatched, notices are served on the offending owners advising them of their illegal actions. He said a maximum of three notices are served. The last notice asks that owners “show cause” as to why the property must not be demolished.

Stephen said some owners visit the Corporation to address the matter after being served with notices while others do not. He said the latter faced the risk of their property being demolished. He said there were many “ignorant and arrogant” property owners. He said dozens of notices have been sent out in the last month and members of a planning sub-committee have visited a number of the illegal structures. Earlier, in his address to delegates attending the second Federation of Caribbean Associations of Architects (FCAA), Stephen said with the construction sector booming in the country, so too were the problems. He said while the projects were “within budget, they are without approval.” He called on local Architects to assist the Corporation by informing their clients and others that mandatory approval must be obtained in order to renovate and convert properties.

He said the Corporation will soon embark on an information drive to educate the public and “if necessary to discipline” them. President of the Trinidad and Tobago Institute of Architects (TTIA), Mark Raymond, told reporters that the quality of public spaces in the city was “fragmented” because of a lack of planning. He called for architects to be consulted on overall development. He said members of the institute met recently with Planning and Development Minister Dr Keith Rowley and he hoped their proposals would be considered. The FCAA was established in 2000 in the Dominican Republic and provides a forum for architects of the region to “meet and reinforce artistic and intellectual relationships and make friendships.”