New mixed zoning will help to prevent nuisance to residents refer tothe editorial (“The romance of our city ‘must be preserved”, February), where itis claimed that the government is pursuing policy of phasing, ‘outmixed-use zoning, and Mary Melville's letter (City thrives on mixed use”, February9). T would lke to clarify thai the government has no plans to phase out mixed-use developments. The {intention is mainly to improve planning control and ‘void the interface problems inherent in mixed-use ‘developments, Hong Kongis a compact city where it jscommon to find a mixture of uses in ‘developments, We recognise there are merits in integrating difierent types of compatible uses within ‘building or area ~in particular, when ithelps ‘create vitality and diversity in an area. “However, while the commercial /residential zoning can provide flexibility or mixed-use ‘development to meet changing market needs, under ‘this zoning, commercial and residential uses are allowed to intermix within the same building ‘without any planning control even on thesame {loor. This may cause nuisance tothe residential ‘users. Appropriate planning control in mixed-use developmentsis therefore necessary. "The Planning Department has been conducting review of sites zoned commercial/residential on ‘the outline zoning plans forbetterland use ‘management and more effective planning, Except for areas that are already highly commercial ‘commercial/resdential sites would be rezoned either Residential Group A), where commercial ‘uses are allowed on the lower three floors ofa ‘composite building, or the new zoning of Other ‘Specified Uses annotated Mixed Use. "The new zoninghas been introduced to facilitate integrated and well-planned mixed-use developments, ensuring both flexibility and planning control The new zoning llows a ‘combination af various types of compatible uses, including commercial residential, educational, cultural, recreational and entertainment use, either ‘vertically within a building or horizontally over a spatial area, However, to prevent non-residential ‘uses causing nuisance tothe residents, physical tion has tobe provided between the residential and non-residential portions of amixed- use building. This zoning has been introduced into the outline zoningpplans covering the Kai Tak, Wan CChaiand Causeway Bay districts. ‘in response tothe claim by Ms Melville that the rezoning of mixed-use areas from commercial/ residential to commercial would boost the plotatio by one-third, underthe orginal zoning, a ‘commercial development built up to the maximum. plot ratio of anon-domestic building is always permitted, A rezoning to commercial use isto reflect the existing character of areas that have mainly been developed for commercial use. Theres no question fboostingplot ratioas result of the rezoning, ‘To provide clear guidance fr use and development within the new zone, setof Town, Planning Board guidelines has been drafted and is being ciculated for consultation. ‘Christine Tse, for the Director of Planning