Members of the City Council during the regular session on January 11, 2021 said the body will expedite the enactment of a moratorium on the unabated constructions of buildings that are in contravention with the city’s zoning ordinance.
In July 2020, a city ordinance was proposed imposing a moratorium on the application and issuance of zoning exemptions by the Local Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeal (LZBAA).
Once approved, the ordinance shall suspend the grant of exemptions by the LZBAA. Furthermore, no locational clearance shall be issued if the intended structure will deviate from the zoning ordinance of the city. Also, no building permit shall be issued by the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) for the construction of any structure that does not conform with the land classification or land use of a lot under the city’s zoning ordinance.
“The City Government as the regulating agency has that responsibility to counter-check the effects of these exemptions or variance on the utilization of lands covered in the zoning, thus the need to impose moratorium save for valid reasons,” the ordinance stated.
The city council continues to censure the construction of commercial buildings on areas in the city that are classified as residential zones due to the exemptions granted to private companies from the restrictions imposed by the existing zoning ordinance.
Arch. Donna Tabangin, Head of City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), said the moratorium would give their office a breather from receiving numerous applications for the zoning exemption.
“The intended usage of lands is being disregarded. It is too chaotic already. We seem to have lost control of our imposition of the requirements of the zoning code because of our past mistakes. This moratorium will give us that breathing space,” Tabangin asserted.
Tabangin revealed there are about 20 applications received by their office on a monthly basis.
The city officials unanimously agreed that the passage of the moratorium would be the best course of action at the moment while the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is being revamped and updated by the CPDO.
The proposed moratorium will again be discussed in the next council session on January 18, 2021 before its approval on second reading.** Jordan G. Habbiling
