Development density guidelines in Penang to take effect next year

GEORGE TOWN: The guidelines for the increase in development density to 128 units per acre from 87 units per acre will only come into effect next year in Penang.

Penang Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state was in the process of fine tuning the guidelines.

He nonetheless noted developers will still have to comply with the same requirements like having traffic impact assessments and contributions to public amenities.

"Developers still have to adhere to requirements," he said when asked about the issue today during a visit to the Seri Delima constituency.

The allowance to increase the density was announced by State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh last month.

The reason being that the higher the density, the smaller the unit size and the smaller the unit, the cheaper the price, which will result in cheaper units across the board.

Units built under the increased guideline cannot be less than 900²ft and not cost less than RM400,000 while affordable housing elements and low-cost (LC) and low-medium cost (LMC) components are maintained.

On the RM150 million allocated to the Sungai Pinang Flood Mitigation Plan Phase Three, Chow said the federal funds were to be channeled directly to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).

"The DID director will supervise the project and the state government will be keeping tabs on the progress," he said.