Guidelines for gated communities

04/12/2006 The Sun By Maria J. Dass

Subang Jaya: Developers and residents in Selangor who are planning to set up gated and guarded communities to boost security in their neighbourhood will have to follow a new scheme outlined by the Selangor Housing and Real Estate Board.

A guideline for the gated community development scheme prepared by the Board was approved by the state executive council on Oct 4.

The matter was brought up at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) full board meeting on Thursday.

Council president Adnan Mohd Ikhsan said there was a growing number of residents in the municipality who took the initiative to set up their own gated communities.

This has caused problems when some residents had blocked out council access roads to other areas by using drop-gates.

"From now on, those who want to set up gated and guarded communities will first have to obtain permission from the local authorities," said Adnan.

"They will have to comply with certain regulations, for example, they cannot build guard posts in the middle of the road - these  have to be on the sidewalk," he said.

They also cannot install barriers, drop gates or fences if there are connecting roads.

Fences will only be allowed for cul-de-sac developments only.

"Those who want to make an application to set up these schemes can obtain a booklet on the guidelines soon," said Adnan.

The booklet is currently being printed.

The meetings also discussed the installation of parking meters along 4/46J roads in the municipality.

However, this was opposed by some councillors who said that those living in apartments and high-rise buildings will be burdened by it as they are not provided with ample parking space.

Asked to comment on this later, Adnan said:" We have made it compulsory requirement for new high-rise developments to have at least two parking lots for each unit as opposed to the average 1.5 at present."

This has to be a part of the developer's plan, he said.

If residents have more than one car, they will have to pay to use the council parking bays as we spend a lot of money to maintain the roads and surroundings, he said.

This rule, however, does not include low-cost apartments.