BRICKFIELDS stakeholders are proposing that the Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, is zoned as public community facilities (PCF) rather than a main commercial zone as stated in the draft Kuala Lumpur Local Plan (KLLP) 2040.
They feel that the PCF zoning is more suited for the historical building that has 124 years of history.
Happy Garden resident P. Tamilwanan said Vivekananda Ashram's land, which was zoned as "major commercial", allows a lot more options for commercial establishments to be built at the site.
“So, we are objecting to the commercial zoning and suggest that the land is zoned as PCF.
"It is more in line with the objectives Vivekananda Ashram which promotes the Hindu religion and its principles as well as promoting the study of arts, science and industries," he said, during a public hearing on the draft KLLP zoning on Vivekananda Ashram's land.
A group of stakeholders presented their concerns on the major commercial zoning as stated in the KLLP 2040 to a group of panelists during the public hearing.
They are worried that with the "major commercial zone" in KLLP 2040, the land will be used for commercial purposes.
This is despite Vivekananda Ashram being classified as a “Category 1 Heritage Building” in 2016 and any development or modifications to the building must be approved by the National Heritage Department (JWN).
The session concluded with the panelist clarifying more information from the group about Vivekananda Ashram in terms of ownership and land area.
