Presenter Norman Harris Director, Research And Mapping Mines and Geology Division Presentation at the Realtors Association of Jamaica – June 4, 2015

 Increase in development applications for Jacks Hill, St Andrew with higher than normal residential densities.  Meetings with NEPA to discuss difficulty in assessing applications. Jacks Hill – history of geological instability.  Draft Hillside Development Policy for Jacks Hill (2009).  Draft Policy for Jacks Hill did not address broader hillside development issues affecting Jamaica.  Further discussions with NEPA to develop a hillside development policy for Jamaica.

 Movement of population away from dense urban centres, leading to residential expansion of hillsides.  With increase in hillside population - increase in geo-hazards and environmental degradation.  Over 70% of Jamaica consists of hillside land.  Developers exploit gaps in the development approval process for developing hillsides.  New Paradigm: Hillside viewed as a natural resource to be protected and properly managed.

 Reduce the incidence of geological hazards on hillsides caused by improper development.  Prevent inappropriate development on hillsides, especially in hazard prone areas.  Protect the natural and topographic character of the land.  Protect fragile hillsides and other environmental resources.  Preserve scenic beauty and aesthetic quality of hillsides

Natural and Environmental Hazard Issues

Debris Flood, Ocho Rios, St Ann (2008) Debris Flow, Hope Pastures Hurricane Ivan 2004 Debris Floods/Flows

Rock Fall - Portland Loose rocks on steep hillside proposed for residential development St. Andrew Rock Falls

House at Grants Town,St Mary severely damaged by slope failure, Road Failure caused by landslide, Buff Bay Valley Portland 2005

Erosion and De-vegetation of hillside caused by subdivision Development. St. Andrew Debris and solid waste from hillside surrounding Ocho Rios, St Ann. April 2008

 Organizing a project team with professionals on a voluntary basis proved challenging.  Agreement with NEPA that MGD would develop the manual.  Engage the input of stakeholders throughout the process.

Four Regional Workshops Manchester Parish Council Includes the Northern Region, Portland, St Mary and St Ann Includes the Central region, Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth St. Mary Parish Council Break-out Group Session September 2012

Regional Workshops ODPEM- Kingston October 2012 I ncludes Eastern Parishes: Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine and St. Thomas St James Parish Council September 2012 Includes Western Parishes: St James, Hanover, Trelawny and Westmoreland

Guidelines for Slope Steepness Guidelines for Slope Stabilization Guidelines for Grading (Cut and Fill) Guidelines for Hillside Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for Hydrology and Surface Drainage Guidelines for Residential Densities and Lot Sizes. Guidelines for Developments in Karst/Limestone Terrain

Major Achievements in the Stakeholder Participatory Process 1. Slope Steepness Limiting residential development on steep hillsides Residential development on hillsides up to 30 degrees (58% ) slope recommended Consensus that 30 degrees is acceptable. Construction on Steep hillside - St Andrew

2. Site Grading and Grading Plan Recommended Not Recommended Poor site Grading, St James Grading plan is now an accepted requirement Grading standards/guidelines incorporated in the manual

3. Residential Zoning Density for Hillsides Developable and undevelopable sites Slope ClassSlope Category Slope GradientDensity Degree%*HRPA*HRPH 1Moderately Sloping – Moderate – Steeply sloping 18 – 2532 – Steeply Sloping26 – 3049 – 58 Single Family Development 4Very Steeply Sloping>30>58 Development not Permitted Eliminating Density Transfer Consensus on new residential density for hillsides Guidelines for proposed Residential Densities for Hillsides

 Hillside Development Manual to be included as part of the Development Approval Process.  Manual to be used in conjunction with new Draft Development Orders prepared by NEPA.  Wide range of stakeholders – engineers, architects, planners, environmentalists, geo- hazard specialists, land surveyors, Local Authorities (building and planning officers) developers, realtors, homeowners etc.

Step 1 Make Manual available to key stakeholders Post on MGD’s Website ( Step 2 Handover of Manual to Each Parish Council Conduct knowledge transfer workshops in conjunction with Min. of Local Government Step 3 Develop Hillside Development Manual Policy and complementary regulations NEXT STEPS

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