Ara Damansara

Venue: Kedai Kopi Ara (On the way to Lala Chong, just before crossing the bridge on PJU 1A/20)
Date: Saturday 26 June
Time: 8am – 5pm

26 June 2010

Datuk Bandar

Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya

Tingkat 2, Jalan Yong Shook Lin

46675 Petaling Jaya

Selangor Darul Ehsan

Dear Sir

We, the undersigned residents of Ara Damansara, would like to bring to your attention our concerns and objections with regard to the above proposed project. We would summarise these as follows:-

1. Increase in traffic density/congestion due to high density nature of project

During rush hour there already is congestion at all traffic lights within Ara Damansara (some of which are frequently out of order, especially at the junction of Jalan PJU1A/20 and 1A/3). With this project, there will also be many cars parked haphazardly along Jalan PJU1A/20, effectively turning it into one lane in either direction. Furthermore, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang and the exit to the NKVE are already experiencing considerable congestion now. A high density project comprising both office and residential units will definitely increase the congestion further within Ara Damansara and along Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, further aggravated by the impending completion of the Oasis project at the entrance to Ara Damansara.

2. Safety

Such a high density project should not be allowed immediately next door to a petrol station. Is there a sufficient safety/buffer zone between the project and the petrol station? Furthermore, it is in the direct flight path of many low flying aircraft, especially helicopters and the proximity of the project to SAAS Airport and the nearby hangars poses a serious safety threat, both to occupants of the proposed project as well as the aircraft personnel/passengers.

3. Risk of Abandonment

The Platinum Damansara project, also in Ara Damansara, was abandoned about 3 years ago and is now a major eyesore and it is very similar in concept (commercial plus service apartments). If there were not enough buyers then (when the market was stronger) who is to say this project can get sufficient sales now to see it through completion? We do not need another eyesore here in Ara Damansara. Furthermore there are already many unoccupied commercial properties in the vicinity, both in Ara Damansara as well as nearby in Jalan Lembah Subang.

4. Drainage and Risk of Floods

The whole of Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang is prone to flooding and this has increased significantly in the last 12 months. In heavy rain the level of Sungai Kayu Ara rises to alarming levels and it runs along the back of the project. As such, there will be increased risk of flooding once this project is completed.

We would further like to query if the proposed project is on land that was originally gazetted for residential or green lung purposes as this constitutes a misrepresentation by the original landowners/developer, Sime Pilmoor, as to the overall development and “tranquility” (their actual words) of Ara Damansara. This project, if it proceeds, will certainly reduce further what little tranquility is left, what with the increased traffic and noise (including aircraft landings, take-offs and engine testing from Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah).

In view of the above we would strongly urge Datuk Bandar not to approve the above project and we thank you in advance for your kind and sympathetic consideration.

Yours sincerely

Ara Damansara Residents

cc YAB Tan Sri Dato` Seri Abdul Khalid Bin Ibrahim

Dato’ Menteri Besar Negeri Selangor

Pejabat Menteri Besar Selangor Tingkat 21,

Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah,

40503 Shah Alam