CM approves new parking lot rules….Sandeep Ashar
MUMBAI: Public parking lots set up on private land will be limited to four upper floors and two basements. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan approved amendments proposed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to a development control (DC) regulation, which provides incentive built-up area (BUA) to land-owners and developers for constructing public parking lots on private plots.
Civic chief Subodh Kumar, who had been directed by Chavan to review the public parking scheme, had on April 29 proposed five modifications, including restrictions of the height of the parking lot and charging a premium towards the incentive offered.
The original regulation, in force since October 2008, did not specify any cap on the parking lot’s height. Private parties were allowed to avail of additional BUA of up to 50% of the area used to construct the parking lot free.
While the purpose of the scheme was to incentivize creation of parking infrastructure, complaints that it was being used by developers to build luxury skyscrapers and making unusually high profits were raised from the beginning.
After taking over as chief minister, Chavan ordered the scheme’s review. The civic chief, who heads a five-member high-powered committee set up to ratify such proposals, was asked to assess the utility of the parking lots sanctioned, and advise the government on the need to continue with the scheme.
In his report, Kumar suggested that the scheme be allowed to continue in view of the paucity of parking space in Mumbai. He, however, recommended introduction of riders to curb misuse of provisions. Chavan has approved all his recommendations.
Accordingly, the public parking lot will be limited to ground plus four storeys and two basements of single height. An area cap of 50 sq m per parking space for light motor vehicles and 85 sq m per parking space for heavy motor vehicles will be imposed.
The private party will have to surrender 40% of the unearned income, which is arrived at after deducting the construction cost for the parking lot and facility set up using the floor space index (FSI) incentive from the residential ready-reckoner rate for the additional incentive built-up area available to the developer. Chavan ruled that the collected premium should be shared equally between the BMC and the state government.
A construction cost of Rs 1,500 per sq ft for the parking lot and 2,500 sq ft for the additional BUA will be considered for calculating the unearned income. This will be revised every year. Parking lots will be sanctioned only after assessment of current and future parking needs in an area.