Ara Damansara

Lim (fourth from left) with Subang MP R. Sivarasa’s personal assistant Peter Chong (second from left), Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim (fourth from right) and residents at the proposed development site.

Source : NST Mar 3

PETALING JAYA: Residents of Ara Damansara are concerned about the impact of two upcoming developments in their area.

They are worried that the developments will lead to severe traffic congestion and increase population density in the area.

They were also disappointed after finding out that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had approved one of the developments, despite their objections.

The first proposed development by Lembah Penchala Sdn Bhd on Lot 1425 is to build a 11-storey commercial complex, a 13-storey office complex, two-storey retail lots and a block of 14-storey service apartments.

The second proposed development on Lot 1427 by HSB Sdn Bhd is known as the Ara Green Wellness and Healthcare City Gated and Guarded Community.

The development consists of six blocks of 15-storey medium-cost service apartments, a four-storey medical centre, a 12-storey medium-cost service apartment, two commercial office podiums and a two-storey basement car park. According to residents, the 12-storey medium-cost service apartment under the second proposed development has been changed to a hotel.

Ara Damansara Residents Response Group member C.P. Lim said the residents had submitted their objections against the proposed projects at three public hearings held at MBPJ premises in August, September and October of last year.

He said despite this, the council approved the second project.

Lim said the residents met with MBPJ members again early this year when they were told their grouses will be reviewed by the One Stop Centre (OSC).

However, Lim said that the residents recently found out the council had approved the the Ara Green Wellness and Healthcare City Gated and Guarded Community project.

“The development was apparently approved by OSC. In other words, we have been ignored by the council,” he said.

Lim said that the residents are not against development but want the council to ensure the developer of the project adheres to the plot ratio of 1:2 as required in the Special Area Draft Plan.

“Both the proposed developments, we believe, exceed this plot ratio.

“We want the council to have the developers amend their development plan which has a plot ratio of 1:4,” he said.

Lim said the residents hope that MBPJ and the OSC will have enough clout to get developer to comply with the requirements raised by them in their letters to the council.