(Superceded) - Orchard Road Development Commission (ORDEC)

Circular No : URA/PB/2010/06-CUDG

Our Ref : DC/ADMIN/CIRCULAR/PB_10

Fax : 6220 3201

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

Who Should Know:
Architects, building owners and developers

Effective Date:
The 5-year validity period (with effect from 4 July 2005) has been extended for 3 years and will expire on 3 July 2013.

Objective

1. This is to inform the Professional Institutes on the change in the composition of the members of the Orchard Road Development Commission (ORDEC).

2. The ORDEC was established as part of a series of incentives to enhance and rejuvenate Orchard Road. The aim is to encourage bold, new, innovative developments that will create a positive impact on Orchard Road. Redevelopment and major Addition & Alteration (A&A) proposals that innovatively add value to Orchard Road and our city can be supported with development incentives and be allowed to deviate from current planning parameters, upon the ORDEC’s recommendation. Joint proposals between two or more developments which could bring about enhancement and rejuvenation of the streetblock, are encouraged.

3. This Circular shall supercede our earlier Circular dated 4 Jul 2005 (URA/PB/2005/17-CUDD).

Role of ORDEC

4. The role of the ORDEC is to evaluate whether major A&A or redevelopment proposals, which are not in accordance with current planning parameters as set out in paragraph 5 below, can be regarded as special innovative projects of high quality that merit deviation from these parameters. In so doing, we hope to facilitate the rejuvenation of existing developments, and encourage innovative proposals that will significantly enhance Orchard Road as our premier shopping street.

5. The parameters that can be considered by the ORDEC are:

   • Gross plot ratio (GPR) / gross floor area (GFA);

   • Land use and use quantum; and

   • Building Height.

Members of ORDEC

6. As a result of personnel movement / changes within the various organisations, there are some changes to the composition of ORDEC. The ORDEC will continue to be chaired by CEO, URA, with core members from URA, STB, EDB, LTA, as well as representatives from SLA, NParks, NAC and NHB. The revised composition of the ORDEC is given in Appendix 1 below.

Evaluation Criteria

7. The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Design Concept

• The proposed project shall be a quality development, with a unique and innovative design that defines the site as a distinctive destination through its architecture, scale, location, presence and setting in relation to the surrounding developments, pedestrian network, and public realm. Joint proposals between two or more developments (especially from the smaller land parcels) which could bring about enhancement and rejuvenation of the street block, are encouraged.

Community Benefits and Contributions

• The proposed project shall contribute to the enhancement of the public environment, such as the provision of public spaces & public art, events & performing art venues, improvements to the pedestrian and transport network, or other facilities that benefit the community at large.

Business Concept & Economic Development Benefits

• The proposed project shall provide innovative business concepts that differentiates it from others in the industry, and complements existing businesses in terms of the mix of uses, product concepts, and experience offered to end-users. This shall result in benefits to the local business or the national economy by creating new investment opportunities, new jobs, and increased tourism receipts. It shall also demonstrate business and financial sustainability.

Submission Requirements

8. A submission for consideration by the ORDEC shall be made as an application for Outline Permission. It shall be made to Development Control Group, URA using the form DC / ORDEC (Appendix 2 [DOC, 88.50 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)) together with the EDA form. The forms are available for download from the URA website.
   

9. The submission procedure and detailed submission requirements are listed in the application form. Please note that all submissions for consideration by the ORDEC must be accompanied by the requisite materials and information.

10. It is envisaged that each application would require detailed evaluation by various agencies and ORDEC. A processing fee of $23,800 is hence payable for each application. Following ORDEC’s support and outline permission granted, the applicant can proceed to make a development application during the validity period of the outline permission. The prevailing fee payable for a development application will apply at this stage. All fees payable are subject to 5% Goods and Services Tax.

11. The work flow for the processing of an application to be considered by the ORDEC is shown in Appendix 3 [PDF, 15.47 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab). The applicant will be informed within 6 weeks from the date of submission on the scheduled date to make a presentation to the ORDEC. The ORDEC may request for additional briefings / submissions before making a recommendation on the proposal.

12. Please note that the ORDEC’s evaluation is applicable only to the specific proposal submitted for its consideration. An application that is approved with the ORDEC’s support shall not be used or taken as a precedent for any other proposals or development applications seeking deviations from similar planning parameters.

13. I would appreciate it if you could convey the contents of this circular to the relevant members of your organisation. If you or your members have any queries concerning this circular, please do not hesitate to call Ms Yap Lay Bee at Tel: 6321 8179, or for queries on the submission process, our DCG Enquiry Line at Tel: 6223 4811. You could also e-mail us at ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab). We would be pleased to answer queries on this, and any other development control matter. For your information, the past circulars to the professional institutes are available from our website http://www.ura.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab).

14. The Authority reserves the right to amend the contents of this Circular as and when it is deemed necessary.

Thank You.

FUN SIEW LENG (MS)
GROUP DIRECTOR (URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN)
for CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Appendix 1

Members of the ORDEC:

¹ These members will be invited to attend the ORDEC meetings as and when the submitted proposals require inputs from their respective bodies.