Cyberport expansion budget fails to mitigate for loss of park area

The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council is asked to approve a 5.025bln budget for Cyberport 5 tomorrow.

Cyberport will be permanently granted the entire popular 6.5ha waterfront park, of which more than 20% will be lost with the construction of a new building and access road.

We have asked LegCo members to reconsider giving budget approval. Please click here for our letter with eight concerns to be resolved. Key concerns are: 

• The Town Planning Board has yet to approve a Master Layout Plan of the new building;
• The community / Southern District Council have yet to discuss enhancement and facilities in the park;
• Government has yet to mitigate the loss of the park area (e.g. extension of the promenade to Sandy Bay).

The Finance Committee meeting will take place on 11 June 2021. The item, “Equity in the Hong Kong Cyberport Development Holdings Limited for the Cyberport Expansion Project” is scheduled for 3pm. Click here for the paper LC Paper No. FCR (2021-22)26.

Popular requests from residents for waterfront enhancements to compensate for loss of park area
The cartoon below shows the planned Cyberport expansion, as well as popular requests from residents for new park facilities and enhancements including an extension of the waterfront promenade to Sandy Bay.

           Cyberport Expansion Project

1. New building and access road cover more than 20% of park
   
   Popular requests for enhancement of the waterfront
2. Link to Sandy Bay (missing from budget)
3. Skate park (missing from budget)
4. Roof over the existing pier area (missing from budget)
5. Pet facilities (in budget)
6. Kids facilities (missing from budget)
7. Kids facilities (missing from budget)
8. Cycling facilities (missing from budget)

[16-8-2018]
The Town Planning Board held meetings in May and June 2018 to hear the views of residents, after which they approved the plans for the new developments with various conditions.

In short:

• Town Planning Board received a total of 4,334 valid representations (comments from the public), with 1,257 supporting the plan and 3,075 opposing the plan.
  
  
• Town Planning Board members were interested in the concerns raised over traffic and the proposed improvement measures.
  
  
• Some members of the Town Planning Board said the sites were not within the immediate neighbourhood of Bel-Air.

Although an additional lane will be added at Victoria Road (Aberdeen bound) outside St. Paul's College Primary School, it’s disappointing the Board did not address all the concerns.  

We will continue to press for improvements through the District Council, and through direct communications with the Housing Authority and the Civil Engineering and Development Department. The work is expected to start in 2020 and will be completed in 2025.

城規會於2018年5月及6月開會聆聽及討論申述人士的意見，並有條件地通過重建計劃的規劃申請。

簡單而言：

• 城規會共收到4,334份有效申述書（公眾遞交的意見書），當中贊成的佔1,257份，反對的為3,075份。 
  
  
• 城規會成員關注公眾提出的交通問題，以及政府建議的方案能否應付額外交通流。
  
  
• 有城規會成員認為項目選址與貝沙灣有一段距離。

雖然政府其後建議擴闊域多利道（往香港仔方向）近聖保羅書院小學的一段行車路，我們仍然對城規會未有正視所有意見而感到失望。

我們會繼續要求房屋署和土木工程拓展署改善方案。當局預計工程會於2020年展開並於2025年完成。

​To :
Chairman and Members of The Town Planning Board
致城市規劃委員會主席及委員

(By email: tpbpd@pland.gov.hk)

主席及委員

我反對薄扶林分區計劃大綱圖中的修訂（A項及B項），理由如下：

• 雖然最近的建築物距離貝沙灣最少300米，但是房屋署未能提供最終設計及顏色配搭等資料，以確保建築物能融入附近翠綠的景觀及減低對數碼港道居民現有景觀造成影響。

• 為減低對居民現有景觀造成影響，房署應該降低華富北及華景街的樓宇高度。

• 都會規劃小組委員會文件5/17 顯示華富原址重建後，樓宇高度將會大幅增加，我們對此表示強烈反對。房署需提供具體及全面的計劃確保原址重建後的樓宇高度不會比現時的為高。

• 房署應該將位於域多利道聖保羅書院小學附近新建築物的平台縮入，確保道路及行人路光線充足及保持開揚感覺。

• 當局需為發展項目提供足夠的商用車輛泊車位，避免車輛沿違域多利道例泊停車泊。請注意有最少兩個臨時停車場因重建計劃而需要關閉，而區內的商用車輛泊車位一直供不應求。

• 房署未有提供全面的計劃交代重建後的行人網絡，及如何將行人路接駁至現有的天然行山徑。署方需要改善行人網絡令區內居民能更容易及直接地接觸大自然。

• 房署於都會規劃小組委員會文件5/17中交代的薄扶林道／域多利道路口改善工程力度不足，難以應付長遠的交通需求。路口附近的土地用途為「道路」，我們必須趁機會進行重大改善工程，不能等到飽和時先再作考慮。

• 政府至今還未有交代南港島線（西段）及北港島線的前期工作及通車時間表，於這個情況下提出修訂分區計劃大綱圖是不負責任。

Dear Chairman and Members

I object to the proposed amendments (items A and B) to the Pok Fu Lam Outline Zoning Plan for the following reasons:

- The Housing Department has failed to demonstrate that - although the nearest buildings are over 300m away - the final disposition of the buildings and colour scheme ensure it blends in with the mountain backdrop, and ensures sight lines are maintained for residents along Cyberport Road.

- The height of the buildings planned for Wah Fu North and Wah King Street should be reviewed to reduce the visual impact for existing residents.

- The absence of a comprehensive plan committing to a staggered building heights not taller than the existing buildings. We strongly object to an increase in building height within the original Wah Fu site (as indicated in the MPC paper 5/17).

- The development along Victoria Road near St. Paul’s College Primary School creates a canyon effect and the podia on both side should be set back.

- The development should include parking for trucks and coaches used by residents – so they are no longer park on nearby roads. Note also that existing temporary car parks will disappear and that there is a territorial shortfall of parking facilities for larger vehicles. 

- The proposed development lacks a comprehensive plan for footways through the area including to and from nature trails. The development of the site should enhance the ability of the community to enjoy the surrounding vegetated areas.

- The proposal lacks a commitment to upgrading the junction of Victoria Road/ Pok Fu Lam Road. A major upgrade to cope with the additional traffic, as opposed to the upgrade being proposed in the MPC paper 5/17, should be committed to. Note that the land for this has been reserved on the outline zoning plan. Waiting for future traffic to reach capacity is foolish - we should plan ahead. 

- A commitment is needed from Government to a program for the planning and implementation of South Island Line (West) and the North Island Line prior to approval of any increase in development.

[18-9-2017]

A revised outline zoning plan for Pokfulam has been gazetted for comments by the Town Planning Board. The changes to the plan are limited to those required to accommodate the redevelopment of Wah Fu Estate by the Housing Authority. Over the last 12 months government has adjusted the plans in response to comments from residents – including our concerns over the efficiency of the junction of Victoria Road and Pokfulam Road. Government also agreed with us on rejecting proposals to use of the valley directly opposite Bel-Air Phase 4-6.

城市規劃委員會宣佈修訂薄扶林分區計劃大綱圖，現正讓市民提供書面意見。今次修訂只針對華富邨重建計劃的相關變動。過往12個月，房屋署多次修改重建計劃以回應各方訴求，包括我們非常關注的薄扶林道／域多利道路口之負荷能力。同時，署方與我們一同反對動用貝沙灣四至六期對出的谷地作重建用途。

Some 8,900 new units will be completed around 2025-2027. These will be used to decant the old estate prior to redevelopment. The Southern District Council has urged the government to continue to consult the community and to speed up planning for South Island Line (West). 

預期新興建的8900伙將於2025-2027年落成。這些單位將用於安置現時華富邨的居民，以便拆卸及重建華富邨。南區區議會已促請政府要繼續傾聽居民的意見及盡快進行南港島線（西段）的前期工作。

Below is the Development concept plan and a photomontage from Cyberport Road near the kennels.

閣下亦可參考電郵尾段的發展概念圖及合成照片（近數碼港道狗房位置）。

My initial views are 我初步的意見是：

• The junction of Victoria Road/ Pok Fu Lam Road needs a major upgrade to cope with the additional traffic.
  薄扶林道／域多利道路口需要進行重大改善工程以應付額外交通流。
  
  
• Government needs to commence the planning of South Island Line (West) ASAP.
  政府需要馬上進行南港島線（西段）的前期工作。
  
  
• The development along Victoria Road near St. Paul’s should be set back to avoid a canyon effect.
  將位於域多利道聖保羅書院小學附近的新建築物位置向後移，確保光線充足及保持開揚感覺。
  
  
• Although the nearest buildings are over 300m away, we want a say over the final design and colour scheme of the buildings to ensure they blend in with the mountain backdrop.
  雖然最近的建築物距離貝沙灣最少300米，但是我們仍然希望能對最終設計及顏色配搭發表意見，以確保建築物能融入附近翠綠的景觀。
  ​
• The height of the buildings at Wah Fu North, Wah King Street and the existing Wah Fu Estate site should be reviewed to reduce the visual impact for existing residents.
  為減低對區內居民現有的景觀造成影響，當局應該降低華富北、華景街、華樂徑及華富邨的樓宇高度。
  ​
  

The consultation deadline is 15 Nov 2017, you may email us your comment or submit it to Town Planning Board directly. 

諮詢截止日期為2017年11月15日。歡迎電郵我們發表意見或直接向城規會提供書面意見。

[28/07/2017]
The Housing Authority has revised their plans and reduced the development area by 30% to 13 hectares. The number of units is maintained at 8,900 by increasing the height. The target completion date is 2025. The junction of Victoria Road and Pokfulam Road will be upgraded. The revised plans will reduce the traffic impact of the new development for this junction. However, we will continue to pressure for a grade separated junction design. And we are asking for solutions for the shortage of parking facilities for goods vehicles, and a timetable for the South Island (West) MTR line. These plans will be discussed in the District Council next week.

房屋署修改了華富邨重建計劃，將總發展範圍由原方案縮減近三成至13公頃，透過增加建築物高度以維持8900伙。重建計劃最早一期將於2025年落成。當局會改善薄扶林道及域多利道交界的路口設計。而修訂方案亦會變相減少該路口的額外交通流。話雖如此，我們會繼續向政府施壓要求將路口設計由單層改為雙層、增加商用車輛的泊車設施及提供南港島線（西段）的通車時間表。區議會將於下星期討論華富邨重建計劃。

[23/6/2020]

Town Planning Board responds to community objections
The minutes of the 1224th meeting of the Town Planning Board held on 5.6.2020 shows that objections of residents have partially been upheld, resulting in changes to the Outline Zoning Plan.

1. Although the planning parameters have been approved for building on part of the park, Cyberport will now first have to present detailed layout plans of its expansion plans for public consultation and approval by the Town Planning Board under section 16 of the Ordinance. This will give Cyberport another chance to take proper account of community input.
2. The explanatory statement will state that “Opportunity may be given to explore whether a walking trail could be developed along this planned open space and other coastal areas to enhance pedestrian connectivity along the coast of Waterfall Bay, Telegraph Bay and Sandy Bay at Pok Fu Lam for public enjoyment”.
3. Lastly, the Sandy Bay site will no longer be designated for school development.

The above three changes will be subject to a round of consultation. We will keep you posted.

城規會回應居民訴求
2020年6月5日的城規會會議記錄已上載於網站（暫只提供英文版）。委員會接納居民部分意見，並修改分區計劃大綱圖的部分內容。

1. 雖然城規會就規劃參數批准數碼港於公園的一部份範圍內擴建數碼港，但數碼港需要先交出擴建項目的詳細藍圖，並根據城市規劃條例第16條作公眾諮詢及交給城規會審批。數碼港可於過程中聆聽居民意見並作出適當修定。
2. 大綱圖的說明書會列明「應給予機會研究於此公共空間及沿岸地方興建行人徑，以改善連接瀑布灣、鋼線灣及大口環的行人暢達度及供市民享用」。
3. 最後，大口環的用地不會被指定為學校用途。

當局會就以上三個改動再作諮詢。如有進一步消息，我們會再通知大家。

[18/7/2019]

Additional analyses of visuals impacts and plans for road improvements were released today to the Southern District Council

We are asking for an additional visual impact from the roof of Presidential Towers at Baguio Villas, and for the Traffic Impact Assessment. We made suggestions on road improvements.

Motions were passed calling for associated works including road improvements, MTR station and pedestrian links along the waterfront. 

Government is preparing the rezoning of the waterfront area to allow for the development. The procedure will allow for further community input. We expect this to proceed in September.

數碼港今日發佈了新的模擬相片及簡介道路改善建議。

我們已要求他們提供從下碧瑤董事樓天台望向數碼港的模擬相片，及交通影響評估報告。我們對多個道路改善方案提供了建議。

區議會今日通過兩項動議，要求政府開展多項周邊工程，包括改善對外道路交通、於數碼港設置港鐵站及將海濱長廊連接起來。

我們預計政府部門將於9月左右向城規會遞交文件修改土地用途，屆時居民可發表意見。​

[27/5/2019]

Cyberport made a presentation to the Southern District Council today with new visuals and details. 

We presented the survey results to the District Council and Cyberport Management, together with a long list of outstanding questions, including:

• Utilisation of Cyberport office buildings;
• Renderings showing visual impacts to Lower Baguio Villa residents;
• Traffic and transport impacts;
• Implementation schedule for the Cyberport MTR station;
• Details of proposed road improvements;
• Pedestrian route between Telegraph Bay and Sandy Bay;
• Details of the layout and management of the park; and
• Details of improvements of the Arcade

The District Council requested Cyberport to come back with more information at the next meeting.

數碼港今日向南區區議會介紹擴建項目，並發佈了更多詳情及新的模擬相片。

我們向區議會及數碼港管理層講解意見調查的結果，以及居民林林總總的訴求及提問，包括：

• 數碼港有否善用寫字樓空間
• 由下碧瑤望向數碼港的模擬相片
• 對區內道路及公共交通服務的影響
• 落實興建南港島線西段數碼港站的時間表
• 改善道路工程的詳情
• 連接鋼線灣至大口環的行人走廊
• 改善公園設施及保養的詳情
• 改善商場的零售及餐飲種類等詳情
  ​

區議會已要求數碼港於下次會議時詳細解答上述問題。

Source: Southern District Council

Broken Promises – New Outline Zoning Plan for Pok Fu Lam S/H10/18
 
Government has published the revised Outline Zoning Plan for Pok Fu Lam. Deadline for comments is 27 November 2019.
 
Click here for the full paper
Click here for our analyses
Click here for our online petition
Click here for Town Planning Board website
 
Promises made in 1999 - 2001
 
When the Cyberport concept was conceived, government made promises to the Town Planning Board and the Legislative Council:

1. A building profile that limits visual impacts, and
2. A landscaped promenade linking Sandy Bay and Waterfall Bay park.  

Now 20 years later, government plans to change the building profile and build Cyberport 5 higher than the adjacent Arcade. This will impact the view for residents.
 
Moreover, the promised links to Sandy Bay and Waterfall Bay park have yet to be built.
 
There are other changes in the Outline Zoning Plan. Importantly, government is rezoning the land behind Sandy Bay rocky beach for an international school.This will create more school traffic problems.

Sign our online petition here.
 
We have analysed the full paper, and advise the residents as follows: 

1. Object to height of Cyberport 5. Should be lower than Arcade.
2. Object to parking and roads in park – put all in a basement.
3. Support formalizing Cyberport Waterfront as Open Space.
4. Request a budget and program for Cyberport Waterfront enhancement.
5. Object to building another school at Sandy Bay on traffic grounds.
6. Request a waterfront promenade along Sandy Bay.
7. Support removing the coastal highway Route 7.
8. Support a continuous promenade along the coast of Pokfulam.
9. Request changes to the proposed road improvements.

You can use our online form to respond and add your own views. The deadline is 27 November 2019. Feel free to contact me at info@paulzimmerman.hk with your queries and comments.

政府未有履行承諾 - 薄扶林分區計劃大綱草圖 S/H10/18

政府已發佈修訂後的薄扶林分區計劃大綱圖，公眾諮詢截止日期為2019年11月27日。

全份文件：連結
我們的分析：連結
我們的網上聯署：連結
城市規劃委員會網站：連結

1999至2001年的承諾

政府當年在城市規劃委員會及立法會討論數碼港項目時承諾 :

1）為減低對居民景觀的影響，採用特定的建築物高度輪廓 。
2）興建海濱長廊將大口環及瀑布灣公園連接起來。

約20年後的今天，政府提出興建數碼港5期，新大樓比旁邊數碼港商場為高，會影響居民的景觀。另外承諾多時的海濱長廊（連接至大口環及瀑布灣公園）至今仍然未兌現。

分區計劃大綱草圖亦包括其他修訂，當中政府於大口環石灘位置預留一幅地興建國際學校。如落實的話，區內的交通擠塞問題將更為嚴重。

請參與我們的網上聯署

就這次大綱圖的修訂，我有以下分析及建議：

1. 反對數碼港5期的樓宇高度。新大樓應較現有商場為低。
2. 反對將停車場及連接路設於地面，應全放入地庫。
3. 支持將數碼港的海濱正式劃為休憩用地。
4. 要求提供改善海濱公園的具體方案及財務預算。
5. 反對於大口環興建另一所學校（基於交通理由）。
6. 要求落實大口環海濱長廊。
7. 支持刪除沿海的7號幹線。
8. 支持註明薄扶林沿岸地段為海濱長廊。
9. 修訂道路改善方案。

你可以透過我們的網上聯署發表意見。截止日期為11月27日。如有查詢或意見，歡迎電郵我們：info@paulzimmerman.hk。