Unfortunately, it's all really about the "big man's" plan to make more $$ and steal more from the poor. The rich get richer! Fortresses are the future with their slice of private beach to pollute and erode. This is babylon now folks and it is a shame.
I feel like I'm missing something. I agree with everything that has been in place, although not "adhered to." Are the two amendments we are asked to opine on, the change in maximum height of buildings and the change to setback limits? If those are the only two, then maybe I'm not missing anything.
If the "change" is meaning to reduce setback limits, then that's just insane. I'm not an engineer but I grew up in Atlantic City and watched our beaches shrink, then get dredged and pumped, then shrink, then dunes put in, then more dunes etc. The only way I could see that (reduction in setback) working would be to destroy the reef, pump a hundred yards of new beach and more forward with the breakwater. I mean, nonstarter. Next question, ya know?
As for the building height; it would be extremely sad to have hotels up to ten stories high along the beach. Aside what others have expressed about loving the trees, the natural feel and the local vibe, how would the infrastructure needed be addressed? An entire new sewarage system would be needed. I don't want to think about the disastrous effects of any "shortcuts" that might be taken while such an enormous endeavor is ongoing.
To echo what Billndonna stated, I too love Negril just as it is. That is why I don't go to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cancun etc anymore. They all have sun, rum and great food but it's not Negril. I understand change is inevitable but it would be a tragic loss if Negril, stopped being Negril.
Last edited by MikeyNYC; 02-19-2015 at 10:48 PM.
This proposal may be a tragedy in the making; and the very idea of high rise buildings on the Negril beach brings a tear to my eye.
Please, please, please don't do this. It is not needed, nor wanted by Negril believers, who willingly bring their money to the island for the very reason that Negril remains relatively un-spoiled.
I beg you Jamaica; put aside politics and business profits for once, and preserve what brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Negril every year. People who seek the warmest waters, the most beautiful surroundings; the friendliest people; the best of everything, the capitol of casual has to offer.
You are going to have to compete with Cuba in the very near future. Don't screw up Negril.
The nostalgic fondness many boardites feel for the "good old days" doesn't pay the bills nor earn property owners (majority of whom are Jamaicans) a fair return on their investment. "Growth is inevitable for Negril" as Rob stated and the mega properties like RIU
are either going to become the wave of future or Jamaican-owned hotels must be allowed to compete with bigger and better accommodations. People like Mr. Wellington, Mr. Grizzle, etc. must be able to compete more effectively on an already uneven playing field with all the foreign investors.
We all know Global Warming is real and a threat to our planet so reducing setback limits are not a good idea so the only way to build with the constraints of Norman Manley Blvd and the Morass is up. At least one more story to all properties as the "no building taller the tallest coconut tree." only means larger coconut trees being brought in.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/colum...olicy_18363384
Jamaica is stepping out of the shackles of "Third World" status and poised for more development and investment. If that investment can not be supplied by Jamaicans then more RIU are in their future.
Just my opinion.
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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!!!
(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.)
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
I would be adamant in my desire that no high rise buildings be allowed within the immediate area of the sea shore.Perhaps any building above two stories would not be allowed between the present coastal road and the beginning of the foreshore. Really any high rise should be forbidden in the environs or village limits of Negril.Perhaps three stories would be allowed across the present road from the beach. National parks and sea shores should be established to provide long term protection of the undeveloped area. Where appropriate services would be needed, concessions could be granted much as concessions are granted in national parks in other countries. These could be food shops, boat rentals etc. There should be a time limit for any concessions and any permanent structures such as concrete or block structures would be restricted. There should be restrictions on the sort of drainage allowed into the sea. Public access right of ways to the beach should be established and clearly defined with markers etc. The Grand Morass should be restored as much as possible and natural areas that still exist should be protected. Subcommittees should be established to explore the possibility of receiving grants from international preservation organizations such as the United Nations. Smaller groups and organization should not be overlooked. I think that it will take an enormous effort to just maintain the status quo. It will take a heroic effort from all concerned including the overseas visitors to improve and restore Negril.
Two thoughts. Here she states,
"Few, if any, of these requirements have been adhered to. Where permission of the NRCA was required to remove important coastal features, it was given in many cases. Removal also proceeded illegally. The Government of Jamaica did declare the Negril Environment Protection Area, including the Negril Marine Park and the Orange Bay Fish sanctuary, but the management of these assets is clearly weak."
If the existing regulations have not been effectively enforced, then the written regulations do not carry much meaning. It seems that the issue is that no one is taking responsibility for oversight.
Secondly, since hotels are limited in height, they have been expanding horizontally - across beach road onto the garden side. Place like White Sands Negril (for example) have limited beach space which is densely packed with people. My concern is that the beach is not wide enough in many locations to accommodate a significant increase in bodies. Negril is not Puerto Vallarta with a wide beach that can handle rows of high rise resorts.
Happy trails!
I appreciate the link shared by Accompong as much or moreso than the one Rob provided, simply because of a phone call I received from a fellow visitor to Negril two days ago. We were discussing the fact that neither of us were aware of the status of the breakwater project, and he had asked me if I knew where the Issa family stood on that issue (I did not). It's encouraging to me to see that they lean toward the preservation stand, despite the fact that some of the development and expansion projects they've undertaken are not consistent with the 1981 directives.
As for inviting Negril stakeholders, including us, to weigh in on these proposals, I am very wary and, in fact, cynical. I bristle when invited to express my opinion on something that's already been settled. For the Big Money to try to make Negril stakeholders feel like they are a part of any decision making process in this is a pretty standard piece of hypocrisy.
Unfortunately for those of us who love what Negril was, or even is, this will get done. Trust me... if the one of the biggest money interests on the strip (and arguably, the most successful) is concerned for their stake in Negril, the beach is in serious trouble.
Thanks Rob, for the opportunity to vent.
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