Residents feel project is a fire hazard

Sunday, 19 February 2012 09:33

A notice to build hostel units within the Casa Utama townhouse in Bandar Utama has left residents feeling uneasy.

The notice was pasted inside the lift of the low-density townhouse with some 39 units before Chinese New Year.

Resident’s spokesperson Raymond Menesh said the townhouse has three residential floors on the ground floor, first floor and second floor followed by Basement One to Four which is restricted to commerical units like restaurants, cafes, offices and carparks.

“The notice said the hostel would be put on Basement Two and shortly after Chinese New Year, they closed up that floor and began renovations,” he added.

Raymond said the developer had not sought the consent of the residents before putting up the notice and a check by residents revealed they do not have the approval for the conversion.

He also said the notice was taken down immediately when residents starting opposing the plans.

“We oppose the idea of constructing 60 units of hostel to cater to students since Casa Utama Townhouse is located directly in front of Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Utama.

“There won’t be enough carparks space to accomodate additional 60 units of hostel. As it stands, residents with extra vehicles have to park outside Casa Utama Townhouse and along Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Utama,” he added.

Residents were also afraid the hostels would become a fire hazard since there are only two exits on each floor to cater solely to the 13 units per floor.

Raymond said a large number of residents had signed a petition to oppose the new plans by the developer Ong Chong Realty Sdn Bhd.

Ong Chong Realty marketing executive Emily Ong said the board of directors have yet to decide on what to do with the renovated level.

“We have the approval to do the renovations, it is only interior remodeling. We are not doing anything structural.

“We got the approval some time back and wanted to complete the renovations,” she added.

When contacted a spokesperson from Petaling Jaya City Council said they would check on the status of the application to see if it has been approved.

The spokesperson also added that if the developer has intentions to make the place a hostel, they would have to comply to several regulations including that from the Health Department.

From The Star