New Makati zoning ordinance

A revised Makati City zoning ordinance is expected to expand the central business district by promoting commercial and residential development in select areas.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod has recently approved the new zoning ordinance that seeks to reclassify select areas targeted for development.

After a series of deliberations and public hearings, the city council said it will submit the ordinance to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) for approval prior to implementation.

Among the barangays included in the zoning reclassification are Palanan, Bangkal, Pio del Pilar, Cembo, West Rembo, Poblacion, Tejeros, Bel-Air, San Lorenzo, Magallanes, Guadalupe Viejo, and Gudalupe Nuevo.

Mayor Jejomar Binay expects the new zoning guidelines to boost business and the local economy.

"The business and economic activities previously limited to the CBD (central business district) will now expand to adjacent barangays, so what we expect to happen is development growing in a radius from the CBD," he said.

Binay noted that one of the highlights of the new zoning ordinance is an upgrade of the floor area ratio in the areas targeted for development.

The floor area ratio upgrades, he explained, will allow businesses to expand by allowing property owners to expand their establishments.

Among specific areas eyed for commercial and residential development are J.P. Rizal Avenue, Pasong Tamo, Neptune street, Malugay and Yakal area, Zobel Roxas street, M. Reyes street, Dela Rosa street, Kalayaan Avenue, Antipolo street, NOBLA area and the Makati portion of EDSA.

Under the new zoning ordinance, select government properties will also be designated as so-called planned unit development areas to allow flexibility in the design and provision of public facilities. Likewise, incentives will be provided for improvements that are traffic oriented and that support the city’s greening strategy and heritage zone projects.

Binay said the city government of Makati decided to review and revise the zoning ordinance after the initial five-year implementation of the previous ordinance.

According to him, the amendments will help realize the city’s development goals under its so-called "21st Century Development Agenda."