I had thought that Cayman government passed a law some years ago that empowered it to charge $25,000 a day to owners of derelict properties. Why then is Dart not charged for the eyesore formerly called the Hyatt hotel, which as many know, is the remains of an amazing property destroyed by Hurricane Ivan.
Auntie’s answer: I took your question to the Department of Planning and an official there addressed your concern. You are correct that the Development and Planning Law (2017 Revision) allows for the Central Planning Authority (CPA) to serve notice under Part IIIA (Land Adversely Affecting Amenity of Neighbourhood) Section 29A.
Basically the section says that if the area is “adversely affected or seriously injured” by the “ruinous, dilapidated or other condition” of a building, the CPA can serve notice to the owner or the person responsible to require they take steps to remedy the situation.
Additionally, if the building is in a hotel/tourism or commercial zone the fine for non-compliance is $25,000 per day from the date the notice takes effect.
Specifically, in the case of the Hyatt, the planning official said, “In 2012, the Authority issued such a notice to the owner of the property containing the former Hyatt hotel due to the ruinous and dilapidated condition of the buildings.” After the notice was issued, “the owner took steps to better secure the property, demolished at least two buildings and generally improved the state of the remaining buildings and property”.
Following on from that, the planning official said, “At that time, the Authority was satisfied with the steps taken by the owner and the Maintenance of Land notice case file was closed.”
However, he added that regarding the provisions of Section 29A, “The Authority continues to monitor the situation.” But if you remain concerned with the state of the property, I suggest you email Planning with your complaints.
The law mentioned in this column can be found on the CNS Library
Booo hoooo I dont like how the old hyatt looks, look the other way..
Perhaps you should have purchased it yourself?
Regardless of whatever the long-term land-bank plan might be, Brittannia owners shouldn’t allow that adjoining property to sit in complete darkness at night. It is a majority security and liability concern that DRCL should be all over, but are not. Don’t expect this Unity team to help. Send their lawyers a letter directly.
1. WTF has it got to do with Britannia owners – not their land.
2. Where in the law does it say that a property owner has to have vacant land – or any site for that matter – lit at night? Nor was it lit prior to Dart acquiring it. You can’t just make up rules to suit your personal preferences.
yawn…typical anti-dart nonsense.
the property has been stripped with the a possibility of future renovation. The site has been cleaned, fenced. secured and is maintained.
i think the poster should concentrate on the local garbage properties that litter the streets of the country’s capital.
We all know that things changed when Dart purchased the property. Dart controls government so He does whet he likes and does not pay fines.
Haha, you’re worried about what the Hyatt looks like? Have you driven down the roads in Red Bay? Shithole houses on way to nice houses. Just one example of that on this island. Too many people treat their yards as personal junk collections. Don’t get me started on the standing water that breeds mozzies after rains on those properties. How is that not more of an issue?!
Not just Red Bay. Try Bodden Town main road and an apartment block down Monument Road in Bodden Town…derelict verminous eyesore reducing the value of the surrounding properties and reported to Environmental Health but because of the prominent person who owns it they don’t want to get involved.
All the Britannia residents must be tired of looking at the skeletal remains of the old Hyatt. What a great property it was , brunch was the best on the island. The late night bar was a top spot for rubbing shoulders with the Glitterati
I seen people working there. Looks like they are fixing the place up now.
Don’t get your hopes up. Just land clearing errand boys. No heavy equip on site.
The answer you are looking for is “government will never do anything to the detriment of the owner because they are in bed together”
Is the Department of Planning not capable of seeing with their own eyes,that the site is a dilapated mess and eyesore in a tourist area? Come on Planning, get on the job.
We should not have to email Planning with our complaints. Planning should get out of their offices and take action.
Here we go again, blaming Dart for a problem that has existed for 14 years, long before he purchased the property. The fact is Dart is your only hope this property will ever be cleaned up and improved.
Great. At least DART has the checkbook to pay the derelict property fines. CIG should start ’em up, retroactive to the day DRCL took over the development and continued to let it sit.