Planning denies infractions over Kimpton permits
(CNS): The director of planning has written to the independent member for North Side, Ezzard Miller, denying allegations that it had not issued the necessary permits to Dart Realty and its associated businesses in connection with the development of a new hotel. Despite revelations made public through an FOI request released by the department last week indicating that a red permit had not been issued until well after the construction of the hotel, Haroon Pandohie said the permits were all in order as the developer had received a foundation only permit inOctober last year, a structural shell permit in April, and it was the full building permit which was issued to the hotel just last month.
This is at odds with the release by the information manager, which pointed to a different process (See Dart’s waivers exceed $11m on CNS). As a result, that FOI request now appears to fall outside the spirit of the FOI law, if not the letter. That law requires public servants to be open and honest about requests and not attempt to manipulate the information requested in an effort to limit what information is given out.
The original FOI response given to Miller also related to duties and waivers but not all of those were included in the FOI either. Days after Miller received the response, Finance Minister Marco Archer revealed these figures in the Legislative Assembly when he answered a parliamentary question submitted by the East End member Arden McLean. However, they were considerably less than those given via the FOI request.
In his letter to Miller, who had raised concerns about rules and regulations being bent to assist specific and often powerful or wealthy individual developers, Pandohie maintained that the rules had been followed.
Listing when the Kimpton permits had been issued for both the hotel and the proposed condo development, he said the “applicant had obtained all the necessary permits”.
See letter below.
Category: Local News
Ezzard reminds me of Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton had better dress sense and less offensive policies. Al Sharpton was a terrible dresser with truly offensive policies.
Not only Ezzard remind me of al sharpton. When I read all the comments on this subject , I see AL Sharpton objective in lot of our comments , that is political gain or just gain . I am all for development of our Island , but we can over develope . We have to see and know what are the objectives of GOVERNMENT and the developer are . Government want to make sure that laws and rules are followed, the developer want to make it money as fast as they can because he or she don't know what tomorrow will be . I will then ask my self how do I want these 2 boddies to work together for the benefits of the Islands . Remember that we cannot accomplish any thing when we are divided .
Who the freak cares if Dart or any of the Island big investors are given a break or two to keep thier business, that's the way of the world.
I am not concerned what breaks he manages to get for himself and his company. What should bother people is the lack of transparency. As far as I can see its going to be a great development though this island can't take too much more development before it looses its charm and the reason many tourists come here.
What lack of transparency, everyone knew he was getting consessions.
Yeah! Really BIG concessions!!! No one knows how much.
Stupid post. Show your lack of understanding with what things like this does to the economy. This kind of practise happens mainly in the western world. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, mentality keeps only curtain people on top of the food change. The ecomonomy is far from stable with this kind of foolishness.
I just find it amazing how anyone would want to invest and build here given the hoops they have to jump through…..so you dont just get planning approval to build the whole thing (with ongoing inspections as per the norm) here it seems you have get a permit for the foundations, then the shell then the complete building…all with a fee no doubt. What a typical load of Cayman Govt petty crap
Dart has its Super-facilitators in Planning just as it has in Immigration. Anything is possible in Cayman when you have unlimited capital and overwhelming political leverage.
And what they have done and continue to do with regard to work permits should have someone questioning. But it doesn't look like that is going tohappen.
Ez is just pandering to his electorate on this one.
His chest beating gets votes.
Ezzard is a prime example of why there should be a fee associated with submitting an FOI request. Waste of time and resources.
Which is the waste of resources? The FOI or Ezzard?
It all depends on which side of Miller's mouth his tongue is situated that you either get something that makes sense, or something that makes no sense. And to tell you the truth, I hate adversarial politics. I wish that Politicians would stop trying to stir up trouble and instead be honest with the facts. It must be disheartening for developers who go through all the red tape and processes in an effort to make an effort to invest in our economy, only to have politicians with partial information constantly nip at your ass.
15:01. The partial information was not made up by Ezzard ,it was provided to him in response to an FOI.Perhaps you should direct your criticism to the FOI officer in planning ,who failed in his responsibility to provide the truth,the whole truth,and nothing but the truth.
Perhaps you should recognize FOI requests have scope, and some people ask questions of narrow scope to only get the info that fits their agenda, rather than ask for all information pertaining to…
I tend to believe what Ezzard got is the true picture. Sorry, but experience with certain HOD's leave me no choice.
Another non-story. Dart is following the rules as usual, but some CIG person doesn't know how answer a FOI request (as usual.)
And in other news the skeleton of poor King Richard III was found under a parking lot in a Leicester car park – this is what happens when planning allows structures to be built before the Red Card is issued…
So who is Richard and where is This parking lot?
Did you read the article? Do you understand what the planning response meant? Do you know the stages of these building issued permits? There were no infractions committed.
You people are really lacking a few screws if you respond to the deliberate nonsense that I often write in my posts… I guess that to be kind to you I should inform you that you are not so smart…
I cant help it that I not so smart so I give you thumbs down.
Irony and sarcasm are not well understood in Cayman.
CNS I am not sure what to make of this article. Part of it is so badly written, with so many spelling mistakes, that its hard to follow. In any event, the bigger picture seems to be that our MLA's are losing credibility and S—T stirring for the fun of it. This is at best mischievous and detracts from what most of us including Dart are trying their hardest to do, in a challenging economic environment, ie get on with business, provide employment and revenue not only for your own business but for government too. I frankly dont care about when the red, blue or purple permit got issued, just that it was done and done in good faith and that we are moving forward with good business that positively impacts these Islands. I suggest our MLA's do likewise and stop stirring the pot for the heck of it. Other Islands would kill to have Dart there as an ivestor.
I wouldnt say other islands would kill to have Dart as an investor….Yes they may want investors like Dart but not necessarily Dart. I dont know if you work for Dart but it is kind of sounding so…
We are fortunate to have them here
There aren't many investors like Dart…
True. There aren't many investors like Dart. Google "Dart tax evasion" and see for yourself.
Very well said.
…And for that we are very thankful – One Dart type of investor is too much already!
On so many levels. His influence, through his wealth, is too great. "With great wealth comes great responsibility". We should always be questioning when big money influences changes in long term political policy.
"Other Islands would kill to have Dart there as an investor."
Is that because he pays them so well?
Yes
10:54.You imply that MLAs are being mischievous for asking if an investor obeyed established laws and regulations,what does that say about you.There is one phrase in your post that says all that needs to be said about you,and I quote "I frankly dont care about when the red, blue or purple permit got issued".I suggest that you contact Big Mac as he had the same philosophyduring his last administration; it was called Substance before process.In other words don't bother with the correct procedure 'Just get it done '.Of course you would change your mind if the process affected you personally.I am certain that if someone starts building a huge warehouse right next to your upscale residence, without notifying you until it was well under way, you will be the first to say that proper process should have been followed.So much for your point of view.
More proof that the men from the north and east are just blowing hot air just because they can!!! If they would only used all that energy to try to make these little islands better instead of trying to find fault and tear down everything that is being done to help us the working people…