One-off application to change status

Post date: Jul 05, 2015 1:1:5 PM

Published: Thursday March 27, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM

Updated: Thursday March 27, 2014 MYT 7:45:41 AM

OWNERS of residential units converted into business premises in Petaling Jaya will have to submit a one-off application to Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to change their properties’ status to “limited commercial,” beginning April 7.

The one-off application only applies to 17 “limited commercial” areas, which were gazetted in the Petaling Jaya Local Plans 1 & 2 (RTPJ 1 & 2). (See table)

Those who apply will also receive a 50% discount when paying a one-time premium to the Petaling Land and District Office.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad said this during a briefing by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) for owners of such premises. She said this was decided during a state executive council meeting on Feb 5.

Currently, residential properties in the 17 areas can be used for limited commercial activities by obtaining a one-year planning approval and paying RM2,000 annually to the council.

These “limited commercial” activities include art galleries, showrooms (excluding vehicle showrooms), agencies (including tourism, advertising or property), professional services, medical clinics, IT-based businesses or creative arts.

“With this, businesses can carry out their activities without disrupting the neighbourhoods they are located in,” said Alinah.

Previously, carrying out commercial activities in residential buildings was against Section 109 of the National Land Code 1965, and businesses faced possible forfeiture and seizure by the state government.

Alinah said Petaling Jaya would act as a test-case for the rest of Selangor in legalising such residential businesses.

As of last year, 399 residential premises were allowed to be used for business in the 17 gazetted areas.

Of these, 138 were “limited commercial” properties conducting businesses while the rest comprised organisations conducting social activities like state-assisted kindergartens, old folk’s homes and welfare centres.

MBPJ assistant town planning director Bakri Salleh said representatives from the Petaling Land and District Office, Selangor Valuation and Property Services Department and Selangor Land and Mines Office would be opening a counter at MBPJ’s headquarters to facilitate the application process from April 7 onwards.

New applicants within the 17 gazetted zones, however, will have to go to the Petaling Land and District Office to change their land usage to “limited commercial” and pay the one-off 50% premium, before applying to MBPJ for planning approval.

Several business and property owners who attended the briefing seemed taken aback with the decision.

SS2 property owner James Wong said he was curious how the valuation of limited commercial properties would be arrived at.

“Some of the premiums may be over RM100,000, even after the 50% reduction, as some bungalows along Jalan SS2/24 are a few thousand square feet if you are measuring by size of premises,” said Wong.

Many said they would ask the state government to consider allowing them to pay the premium in instalments.

“We have only been given three months to pay,” said Wong.

However, florist Hiew King Sun who operates in Damansara Utama, welcomed the 50% reduction.