I, for one, am in favor of less regulation rather than more. Which is why Jamaica appeals to more than US or British governed Caribbean islands. I think Negril should enforce the rules they have, rather than impose new ones.
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I, for one, am in favor of less regulation rather than more. Which is why Jamaica appeals to more than US or British governed Caribbean islands. I think Negril should enforce the rules they have, rather than impose new ones.
Well said wbegonne!
Exactly on point and well-said!Quote:
Originally Posted by wbgonne
Before the comments get further off topic, here is my original post:
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"We have been asked by the stakeholders here in Negril what is the viewpoint of you, our visitors to Negril about the upcoming changes to our building guidelines as discussed in this commentary article in the Gleaner by Diana McCaulay. She is the CEO of the Jamaica Environmental Trust.
Here is the link to her commentary article:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/c...d-towers-babel
The main area where the stakeholders are concerned about are her comments "I skimmed the new development order. Many of the same provisions are repeated, some verbatim, as if the manifest planning and environmental management failures of the past 30 years have not occurred. Setback limits are reduced, depending on the slope and character of the land, as if sea level rise is merely a rumour. Figure 1 in Appendix 17 seems to suggest that a 10-storey hotel could now be allowed in Negril."
Before responding, please read her comments in full and let us know how you feel. Growth is inevitable for Negril, it will become an actual town in the future (it is currently still a village) and the stakeholders would like to get your feedback on some of the points that Diana brings up in her commentary.
Thank you for your help in this matter."
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Predictions, speculation and rumor are just that, a "best guess" (prediction), "guess" (speculation) or "something unfounded" (rumor).
While we do seek the opinions and viewpoints from our visitors about the amendments to the current building guidelines for the Negril and Green Island Area, making predictions about the social and economic "future" of Negril and Jamaica based on foreign investment (or worse, the lack thereof) is a bit beyond the original question that started this thread.
We can debate all day merits of the Goat island Hub, the Highway 2000 project, the fact the airport in MoBay was expanded for Russian visitors who can no longer afford to come and other such topics. But that is not why the original question was posed.
Jamaica and Negril have been having visitors from all over the world for the past 100 years. Languages such as Italian, German, Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese and Chinese have been taught on the island for years. This is nothing new. Foreign investment has been going strong since 1962. These are simple facts.
But the above topics pose no real help in knowing the viewpoints of our visitors about the amendments to the current building guidelines for the development order for the Negril and Green Island Area. And for clarification, the Grand Lido 10 story proposal has been asked for by their Canadian investors.
Thank you for remaining on topic.
Rob, I don't think we completely understand what you want us to comment on. Is the question whether what was in the original document should be left alone and enforced? And whether changes to it should be allowed?
If these are the questions, my viewpoint is "no". Leave it as it was originally written and reinforce what was there.
Short and simple.
One of the charms of Negril and the reason I cant go anywhere else to vacation is that it is UNIQUE and DIFFERENT..and most importantly, the chilled, relaxed beach attitude.. overdevelopment will take that away.... save the beach and the village atmosphere.... I would be crushed to see it become another face in the crowd resort town....
"No" to amending the building guidelines in the Negril and Green Island Area. No special exceptions for any current or future developer.
Just say no! Improvement is a good thing but redevelopment and taller buildings will destroy Negrils charm.
No high rise please! Simple enough?
if you open the door and allow the change the building codes ...what next? I agree with you rob in that negril will eventually go from village to town, and thats probally not a bad thing......but town to city? Imagine walking to the beach and you look left towards the cliffs and 5 story building catches your eye....or look right and theres 10 story building past rutland point. i would never suggest holding back progress and the jobs and improved infastructure it brings but if progress is not controlled the only thing you may be left with is a 10 story abandoned eyesore. What about the water issues? What about sewage issues? What about traffic issues? What about supply issues? Progress needs to be contolled. Allow changes but going from the current building codes to high rise is a hella of a leap. perhaps a middle ground can be found somewhere, one addresses the concerns of both parties. with much respect, onthecorner
I agree with onthecorner-common sense.
Not being a resident I'm hesitant to state my opinions on such a local issue. I do however have several concerns with the possibility of larger highrise hotels being built in Negril. First and foremost is the ability for the environment and other natural resources to handle increasing capacity. My second concern is the possibility of "walling off" the residents from their beach and obstructing views from the surrounding countryside. Of course we all love the quaintness of Negril as it is today otherwise many of us would be staying in other more developed resort towns in and out of Jamaica. However, It would be pretty selfish of one to say that progress should not come to Negril just so we can continue to enjoy the Negril we know today.
I am not convinced that larger hotels would create more jobs and be an economic plus. This is the same promise made by walmart whenever they wanted to build a new store in a small town. At first new low wage jobs were created. Slowly but surely the smaller businesses that serviced the community closed their doors because they were not able to compete. Businesses that once provided a comfortable living to families for generations were gone. In the end more jobs were lost then gained. I would hate to see this happen in Negril as larger hotels were build that offered everything one needs, and more, under one air conditioned roof.
I was VERY sad to read this post. I just returned form Negril. I think it was about my 25th visit. I have lost count, but my first visit was in 1988. I have been to Montego Bay, Ochi. Negril is a jewel that should not lose its sparkle. I love being on the beach and seeing the mountains. What makes Negril so special is how ecclectic it is - the little painted shops, the local vendors that you see year after year and they are proud and warm, the amazing local food. This is a sacred place and should be treated as such. I used to go to Cozumel, Mexico and loved it for many years. I went 5 years ago, after having not been there for several years and will never go back. The charming small hotels have all been replaced with mega resorts. The Cozumeleno people that own restaurants and shops are all suffering. The tourists that like the AI resort or "cookie cutter" vacations do not want to go to a place with local flavor. They want something "safe" and recognizable from back home in the states. Leave Negril the charming place that it is. Part of the beauty of a trip to Negril is that everyone you meet is a long time repeat visitor and we all share a true love of the place and the Jamaican culture and people. Let the AI crowd go to Mo Bay or Ochi, or to the monstrosity that has been built on the outskirts of Lucea. Has that helped the people of Lucea? The Jamaican Tourist Association should designate Negril as an eco - tourism town. PLEASE do not ruin our sacred, cherished place. If 10 story buildings are put up - I'm "OUT" and so will be numerous friends that love Negril for it's unique charm. Don't do it!!!
I would not like to see the restrictions eased . I would not want to see multi storied resorts, and any new building should be futher off the surf line.
I love Negril and I plan to keep going there as long as it is beautiful. I fear my visiting years are numbered, however, when things get built up like how the RIU resorts raped Bloody Bay. I fear to see same thing happening to 7-mile beach like when I look at sprawling sterile places like "Couples Swept Away", "Beaches", "Sandals", and all those other ugly AI's. I will have to reluctantly look for somewhere else if that happens.
There are many interesting and valid points made in this thread. Nobody is 100% wrong and nobody is 100% right. Common sense is a great prevailing attitude here! The opinions are all certainly worth pondering, and I hope the synopsis given to the powers that be will reflect all this.
Negril needs to grow and progress; that is inevitable. It is also inevitable that some the charm we come for may be – likely will be – lost – but it CAN be replaced with “better”.
It seems common that building above the 2-3 story mark is not wanted. Not warranted.
There have been a number of valid reasons why this should not be allowed. One I have not seen is infrastructure. Under the current population of locals and tourists, it seems that the electrical grids and sewage systems are strained at best. It seems to me that if one is to go with this plan, preferably not on the beach side (helloooo Miami!), that the first step would be to have serious studies done on the current electrical and sewage systems, and remediating them to beyond today’s needs, with an eye to supporting a larger tourist population.
The plans laid out in the article, seem to starting in the middle. Not at the root.
Where does Negril want to be in 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years.
What tourist populations do they want to attract and how do they do that.
How is our current infrastructure – roads, sidewalks, sewage and sewage disposal handling; garbage control and handling – supporting the current needs. What needs to be done to support the growth needs, and how we achieve that. Other infrastructure to be considered should encompass, but is not limited to emergency plans; water distribution; security and policing needs; traffic control. New resorts should be built but they should have strict codes to adhere to in terms of power consumption – utilization of solar power? – sewage control and disposal, water distribution, recycling, garbage handling. How do we cope as seamlessly as possible with draught conditions without “robbing Peter to sustain Paul’s visitors”, as seems to be done now.
There is a major push on all fronts globally to be ecological and sustainable – how is this growth achieved while being ecological, sustainable?
How do we protect our natural resources? Identify the most important natural resources and what needs to be done the repair and sustain them. (The beach, it seems to me, is a HUGE natural resource! ‘nuff said). Ditto for the cliffs.
Jamaica is a position to put herself in the forefront of intelligent tourist development, and be the poster child for the Caribbean and worldwide resorts, if she chooses wisely. She can be a world class example of how to handle growing tourist needs, while maintaining the older demographic, and maintaining the island as it is, with minimal impact on natural resources.
They need to look at the current tourist population – and let’s be honest – a major portion of this board is over 45. The demographic I see on the beach is certainly over 45. They need to attract younger people who start coming as singles; continue as married couples, and want to come with their kids and continue once their kids are grown. They need to maintain us, the older ones, but in the grand scheme of things, we will not be coming as long as the younger population they need. How to attract and hold.
Negril is not Jamaica and Jamaica is not Negril. Perhaps they need to look at this island-wide. I certainly think Chris Blackwell’s plan for the Oracabessa region is a terrible plan, unless you like $3,500 a night resorts that are exclusive of most of both the native and tourist population.
They need to study other resort islands and areas and ask the hard questions. What did you do wrong? What would they change? How could they have done it better?
All of this takes time and $$$ so they need to keep the current tourist population coming and happy. It could be done, and what a wonderful thing it would be to have other tourist areas coming to Jamaica to study what they did because they did it right.
I know. I dream in colour. But … it could happen! I’m going to go hug a tree now.
(Off topic comments have been removed from this post. Please remain on the topic of the amendments to the current building guidelines for the development order for the Negril and Green Island Area. Thank you.)
a change allowing increase to building heights would be the beginning of the end of negril forever. this change will ruin the draw and the charm of negril. i have travelled all over the Caribbean and negril is the most unique and best location i have ever travelled. i own a real estate company and fully understand that the money will make the decision and high rise buildings will inevitably rule negril beach. the longer that can be avoided the better. i have visiting negril 10 times however once i see the high rise buildings going up, i will not return. i prefer to remember negril for its charm not what it will eventually become. sad news to hear this.
There's something to be said about ... old world charm ... thank-you Sevenmile
Please don't let Negril become another Cancun ...
major development = major problems ..for the tourist industry ..which Negril ..is founded
I think ..if a pole was taken ...Almost everyone on this board..has been to Ja. quite a few times ..I for one started in 1989 & have lost count of the times ..I set my toes on the beach
My 15 year old son ... 12 or 13 times ..
Why do we fight projects ..such as a cruise ship pier ..in the westend ... because we love Negril as a small town ...
Not another Mo Bay
I am definitely not in favour for the changes to the building of high rises or the changes to the natural environment just so the fat cats can get fatter. Money always prevails ! Question, whats going to happen to all the mega buildings with too many room accommodations and no one in them. I do not go to Cancun for that very reason ! I for one will go elsewhere. Sorry Negril I will miss you....
Irie Andy
Andy,Quote:
Originally Posted by irie andy
No need to say goodbye just yet.
Knowing how things work it will probably be a decade or two before you'll no longer want to be here, if ever.
Meanwhile....enjoy!
Cap
This seems to speak to the point that Anthony Bourdain was trying to make in his last Jamaica episode.
I think a renovation should be done of the existing buildings. There is no need for a high rise in the area. If people want to stay in this type of setting, there are plenty of places around Jamaica. Also, the group that purchased Grand Lido, did a wonderful job of the Royalton White Sands in Trelawny. What was old is new again.
There are alot of tall empty resorts all along the hip strip right up to the airport runway that are now and for many years have not been used in Montego Bay. Just saying.......short term maybe progress, long term? lacdeloo
The reason for this post is so the government entities involved (who are aware of this thread) can read the direct interests of their visitors before the rules are changed. Change is always inevitable, but how things will change is not set in stone. With the well thought out and helpful postings of many here, the powers that be will be able to make decisions that will be beneficial to all those concerned - the property owners as well our valued visitors.Quote:
Originally Posted by irie andy
This post would serve little purpose if the decisions have been finalized - your input can and will help influence the future of Negril and the Green Island development. Dont worry about missing Negril, your input can guide Negril into the future.