MONTEGO BAY, St James — Owner and operator of Snappaz Restaurant Milton Russell is breathing a lot easier now that the St James Municipal Corporation (SJMC) has given an assurance that it intends to work with him and other residents of Whitehouse as it regularises development within the community. Russell has come a long way since February when he instructed his lawyer to appeal a court order instructing him to demolish the eatery he has spent years building.

“Of course I was worried, that’s the whole thing. They had no idea, I suppose they didn’t, that I live here. I’ve been living here on this spot for over 35 years,” he explained to the Jamaica Observer.

“This restaurant was an afterthought. I didn’t even know that the restaurant was going to do well,” he added.

Russell said he would have lost everything if the demolition had proceeded as ordered.

“I own the business 100 per cent; don’t have a partner. Everything that I have is tied up in it so anything [that would have] happened I would have faced it alone,” he told the Observer.

In a recent release, the SJMC indicated that during discussions with Russell there had been “a compromise reached where some adjustments to the building will take place in short order which should alleviate any threat to planes landing or taking off from the nearby Sangster International Airport”.

Speaking with the Observer, Russell said though he has not received an official response from the local authorities on his next steps, he is willing to do what is needed to resolve the matter — within reason.

“The court action that was taken out had to do with the height of the roof immediately above my bedroom. Provided that the corrective action is limited to that, then I am okay with it because I am open to taking it off, no issues,” he assured.

“There is no issue with the restaurant. For them, the issue with the restaurant is that I built without a permit. When that action came up, I sought to regularise by getting floor plans drawn and submitted, somewhere about 2022,” Russell said.

Though he does not have documentation to back up this claim, such as the receipt typically provided in these cases, he is convinced he is on the right path.

“I trust the word of the mayor. We’ve been in dialogue now for months and he has never said anything to me that he has not kept his word on. I trust that he’ll be consistent,” Russell said, of recent assurances given by Vernon.

In an April 21 press release, the mayor dismissed claims that the SJMC was targeting Whitehouse residents who have been building in the community. He pointed out that over the past year, cease-and-desist notices have been served on residents of hundreds of communities across the parish who have been building homes and other facilities without the required approvals. He said notices had been issued regardless of income bracket.

“We have served notices on residents in Bogue Village, Rosevale, Rhyne Park, Westgate Hills, Cornwall Courts… not just in areas where there are informal developments, but also formal communities, because they too are doing extensions to their homes — additions here and there and making major changes without the necessary approvals,” said Vernon.

He also explained that Snappaz was given a reprieve because of its positive impact on the community. Based on Russell’s numbers the popular eatery, which has seating capacity of almost 300, has 47 employees. With the threat of demolition no longer hanging over his head, he is once again focused on doing what he has always done.

“I’m very happy to put it behind me. I will continue to do the good work that I’ve been doing, helping the community a lot. Snappaz is not just about Milton Russell, it’s about providing jobs, it’s about helping the community and being a responsible business,” he said.