NOIDA: After an in principle approval of mixed land use policy for specific areas within industrial and residential sectors in November last year, Noida Authority on Thursday held a meeting with residents and entrepreneurs to discuss the issue.

Taking the proposed policy a step closer to its implementation, over 60 suggestions and objections were received by a panel of officials, who said that the proposal will be forwarded to the state government for its final approval.

The meeting, which was initially scheduled to be held on Monday, was attended by over a hundred people including office bearers of the Federation of Noida Resident Welfare Association (FONRWA) and Noida Entrepreneurs’ Association (NEA).

In favour of mixed land use, FONRWA has called the commercialization fee formulated by the Authority “unreasonable and exorbitant”.

As per the proposed policy, interested allottees owning residential and industrial property will be able to convert it into mixed land use by paying 50% of the cost difference between the prevailing residential or industrial sector rate and the reserve price of the commercial rate of the area where the property is located.

“The conversion cost should be 10% instead of 50% and commercial activity should also be allowed on 18m-wide roads instead of only on 24m roads,” said NP Singh, president, FONRWA.

“The Authority should also allow ATMs, nursing homes, laundry services, grocery shops and banks in residential sectors,” he added.

Seeking relaxed land use norms for guest houses, restaurants, nursing homes and banks in industrial sectors, entrepreneurs said that the policy should not be limited to just auto showrooms.

“Industrial Sectors like 9 and 10 need to be commercialized as the plots are too small to run industries here. Owners can be charged a conversion fee amounting to 50% of the circle rate,” said Vipin Malhan, president, NEA, adding that the policy should not be limited to just 24m-wide roads.

The proposal to allow guest houses in residential areas was unanimously opposed. “Most people don’t mind allowing commercial use of residential property because it fetches money. However, care should be taken so that sanctity of residential areas is preserved,” said Singh.

“Guest houses could prove to be a nuisance,” added another RWA member. Singh said that affidavits need to be taken by the Authority from owners desirous of adopting commercial activities to ensure adequate parking facilities, especially in residential areas.

According to Authority officials, suggestions and objections would be studied. “They will be discussed with senior officials,” said Manoj Rai, OSD, Noida Authority.

“Once we have disposed of these, it will be approved by the Noida board,” Rai added. The Master Plan-2031 and Noida’s building byelaws will be amended once the policy gets a final nod from the state government, officials said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Mixed-land-use-policy-to-soon-be-implemented-after-govts-approval/articleshow/29965372.cms