Government mulls over rezoning 60 hectares of industrial sites

16 sites should be for homes.

According to a release, the Planning Department has proposed rezoning 60 hectares of industrial sites for non-industrial uses, out of which 16 sites comprising 30 hectares should be residential.

Secretary for Development Paul Chan told lawmakers today the department completed the Area Assessments of Industrial Land in the Territory in 2009, and the Outline Zoning Plans are now under the process of amendment for the purpose of implementing these rezoning proposals.

“The Area Assessments, which also investigated the uses of industrial buildings located within industrial and business zones, found the overall vacancy rates of these two zones in terms of floor area were about 6.5% and 8.4%.”

He said the Government needs to take into account various factors when rezoning an industrial site for residential use, such as whether the vacancy rate is high; whether the site is under single ownership; and, whether the industrial buildings on the site are relatively old.

Mr Chan also said the Government has implemented measures for revitalisation of industrial buildings since April 2010, to encourage the provision of suitable premises through redevelopment or wholesale conversion of vacant or under-utilised industrial buildings, to meet the current social and economic needs of Hong Kong.

The measures encouraging redevelopment include lowering the application threshold for compulsory sale orders from 90% to 80% of ownership for industrial buildings aged 30 years or above situated in non-industrial zones, and allowing tailor-made lease modifications at a "pay for what you build" premium.

Measures to encourage wholesale conversion include allowing owners to apply at a nil waiver fee for change of use of existing industrial buildings for the lifetime of the buildings or the current lease period, whichever is earlier.