Disregard for zoning laws damaging Lamaha Gardens, residents say
There are issues about littering and the roads breaking up fast,” Alli said, while also pointing out that though in the past residents would focus on the aesthetics of the community and their homes, they are now forced to put more focus on security.
In addition to the traffic issues, the residents also pointed out that there are cattle and other livestock passing through their community and damaging their parapets and other spaces. “After years of going to the CH&PA and the M&CC and the police and everyone we could deal with at a regulatory level who are responsible for the maintenance of this area, we could get nowhere forward,” Alli said, as he noted that on numerous occasions the Stray Catchers Unit would be alerted to livestock passing through the communities but would not do anything.
Since the residents were not getting assistance from the authorities, they said that they took it upon themselves to remind persons that the area was residential and decided to put up a sign at the entrance of the community on Duncan Street.
They prepared the sign and requested permission from the M&CC to mount it. However, they were denied.
While they have not received any response to their application letter, Alli said that he made contact with the Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, who related to them that they would not be allowed to erect the sign if it contained the words “no businesses or cattle.”
Despite the ongoing challenges, the residents said they are still seeking to maintain the community through self-help initiatives. “We take care of the drains, the parapets, the street lights and some of the roads,” a resident said.
They also pointed out that the community has no green space or community ground available for use since the Society is currently involved in a court matter against a person who was sold the property in 2013. “We have an injunction that the person can’t use it and it’s still going on. We have the space but we can’t use it and have to take our children to another playground in another community to use,” a resident highlighted.
Even though the residents are asking for help from the relevant authorities, they explained that they are not looking for handouts. “We are fighting to get recognition as a residential community that we are zoned to be.
We are saying that businesses must come out. We have gone to all the regulatory persons and are not getting any satisfaction,” Alli said, while noting that the community members are unsure of what actions to take as a result.