LUCEA, Hanover — In recognition of the urgent need to support those recovering from the devastation caused by last October’s Hurricane Melissa, the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) has decided to waive building breach penalties as storm-ravaged individuals and businesses rebuild.

According to HMC Chief Engineering Officer Lavern Morris quite a few people who suffered property damage during the Category 5 storm have chosen to replace their original timber structures with concrete, which is more resilient even if it is also more costly.

Morris noted that many of the timber structures were built without approval from the HMC and now that they are being rebuilt, in an effort to help defray some of the cost hurricane victims have to bear, the HMC made that decision to waive penalties which should apply.

“When you breach under the Building Act, we would normally charge a penalty for the breach, which is 100 per cent [of the required fee]… for submitting your plans, for the building permit — that is the amount that we would double,” Morris told the Jamaica Observer.

“We [have decided to] waive that cost and just give them some flexibility so that they could submit the plans for the original — or for the factors of the rate and the square area that we charge. That would be easier on their pockets,” added the chief engineering officer.

The fee for a single-family residential building is $200 per square metre. A 100-square-metre house that is in breach would ordinarily need to pay the initial $20,000 fee plus another $20,000 in fines. With the fine waived, the amount due would be $20,000.

Morris explained that notices or stop orders are being served on those constructing without permits, giving them 14 days to comply. The notices come with information about the amnesty.

“We started doing that a couple of weeks ago… Even though we gave them the warning notice, they still have enough time — three months — within which they can submit their plans without [incurring] the penalty,” stated Morris.

More than 100 verbal and written notices were served across the parish to raise awareness of the amnesty, which will run from April 1 to July 31.

The HMC has also put measures in place to cushion Hurricane Melissa’s blow for businessowners. Well aware that many of them are trying to restart their businesses and generate income through social events and advertising, the corporation has opted to hold off on enforcing the rules regarding the unauthorised erection of advertising paraphernalia — banners, billboards and signs.

“They [can] put up their billboards, come in, and apply for those already erected. They still could come in and apply for the approval for erected signs, billboards, etc. We would not charge them any penalty as well, and we would not take them to court for them to remove the billboard or the sign,” explained Morris.

For advertisements, fees depend on the size of the billboard or sign. During the grace period, unauthorised signs would be allowed to remain as long as fees are paid. After the amnesty, non-compliance would lead to the HMC taking action.

“If they don’t come in, we’ll remove the sign and take them to court,” stated Morris.

The chief engineering officer said mostly verbal notices have been given for the advertisement breaches, and these are fewer than the building breaches.

Morris urged the public to take advantage of both opportunities, pointing out that this is an opportunity to comply with the law for their own safety and peace of mind.

She also warned of future enforcement after the grace period, including the removal of derelict vehicles and building material obstructing roadways.

Since the start of the year, several municipal corporations have introduced amnesties for building and advertising. Similar to Hanover, the St Thomas Municipal Corporation will be launching a three-month building amnesty, effective April 1.

The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation announced a temporary signage amnesty in February, leading into an enforcement phase which started on Wednesday.

In February the St Catherine Municipal Corporation introduced a one-month building amnesty for March.

A Jamaica Public Service crew member assessing damage to its network in Esher, Hanover, where houses and shops were damaged by last October’s Hurricane Melissa. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)