GOYANG — Forest land in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, that exceeds the city's altitude threshold for mountain development can now win an exemption through a review by the urban planning committee, provided the land has little conservation value or has been cut off by surrounding development. The city said the change keeps its stance against haphazard development while offering relief to landowners who have been penalized by the altitude standard. Under a separate revision, applicants for private development projects will be able to attend committee reviews and present their cases in person.
The Goyang City Council passed the partial amendment to the city's urban planning ordinance at the third plenary session of its 307th extraordinary session on the 3rd. The bill was introduced by council member Lee Hye-rim of the construction and transportation committee, who represents the Neunggok, Haengju and Haengsin 1 and 3 districts.
The permit criteria for development on mountainous land were reorganized based on standards revised in 2021. Land that exceeds the altitude limit qualifies for easier treatment if it is leftover forest with markedly low conservation value, or if it has been isolated because the surrounding area is already fully developed or enclosed by completed roads.
Review procedures for private development projects will also change. Until now, the city department that placed an item on the agenda customarily explained the project on the applicant's behalf. Going forward, the party that filed the application can attend the meeting and present the case directly. Proxies and contractors acting on the applicant's behalf are also allowed to attend.
The amendment also sets out new grounds for disqualification from appointment to the urban planning committee. Anyone previously removed from the committee for using information obtained during its work for private gain, for accepting money or valuables, or for improper solicitation cannot be appointed as a member. Meeting minutes are to be drafted and disclosed in line with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's operating guidelines for local urban planning committees.
"This amendment is a step to raise the transparency and fairness of urban planning administration while also providing relief to those who suffered under ambiguous development standards, thereby improving the predictability of administration," Lee said. "I will continue to do my utmost to protect the rights and interests of residents and to create an urban planning environment where public interest and reasonableness are in harmony."
