Ordinance for bldg height limits now for deliberation

THE 18th Davao City Council has taken its first step in passing an ordinance on limiting building heights last Tuesday after it passed on first reading the resolution of the Davao City Local Zoning and Review Committee (LZRC) asking the council to amend provisions of zoning ordinance of Davao City to regulate building heights.

LZRC in Resolution No. 2 Series of 2017 unanimously carried last November 16, 2017 favorably endorsed "the proposed ordinance on building height limits amending the Article VII, Section 3 to 6 of the amended zoning ordinance of Davao City".

The committee cited that the concept of "Regular Height Limits and Premium Height Limits in relation to the Intermodal Transit Station (ITS)" should be imposed towards achieving a Transit-Oriented Development.

"There is a need to impose building height limits in line with the safety operations and disaster

reduction in the city," the LZRC resolution read.

The committee also said that there is a need to shape the physical character and built environment of Davao City as it positions itself as the premier metropolitan area in the

Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) for services and tourism among others.

The committee added that the building height limit will provide density control measure in the urban area with the end view of limiting development within the sustainable and carrying capacity of the city's natural resource.

"The committee agreed that the ordinance be favorably endorsed to the city council to act on the recommended changes," the committee resolution read.

The LZRC resolution is attested by the its members from City Agriculturist Office, Assistant City Planning and Development Coordinator, City Environment and Natural Resources, Private sector representatives, namely Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Ecoteneo, Mindanao Land Foundation (MinLand), City Health Office, and City Planning and Development Office.

Attached in the resolution of the LZRC is the proposed ordinance with its title, purpose, declaration of policy, scope of application.

The documents were already endorsed for consideration of the committee on housing, rural and urban development, which is now chaired by Davao City Councilor Elias C. Lopez.