Why Loosen Regulations in Industrial Area Near Samsung Electronics

The Suwon City Council has stirred controversy by proposing an amendment to the city planning ordinance that would allow multi-unit residences with fewer than 19 units and similar structures in the industrial area near Samsung Electronics, an area slated for changes in Suwon's 2020 Master Plan revision.

In particular, the industrial area is expected to be converted into a commercial zone with mixed commercial and office uses, raising concerns that before any development plan is established, land subdivision to inflate compensation amounts will become rampant.

Councilmembers Kim Ki-jeong and Lee Jong-pil of the Suwon City Council Urban Development and Construction Committee submitted an amendment to the Suwon City Planning Ordinance during the 258th regular session that would allow construction of single-family homes and other structures within a 300-meter radius of the Suwon Resource Recovery Facility.

The amendment adds a provision to the ordinance governing the types, categories, and scale of buildings permitted within general industrial zones, allowing the construction of one-room residences and multi-unit residences with fewer than 19 units within 300 meters of the Suwon Resource Recovery Facility property boundary line.

However, this area was restricted for construction earlier this year when the city sought to prevent haphazard development after one-room residences and similar structures proliferated without adequate urban infrastructure. Thus, the push to amend the ordinance just months later to permit development activities in a specific area has raised controversy.

Additionally, criticism has emerged that the ordinance amendment conflicts with the master plan, particularly as the city held a public hearing on the 2020 Suwon Urban Master Plan revision on the 16th, which would change land use in this area to permit commercial and office activities.

A city official stated, "If development activities are only permitted within a 300-meter radius, it creates fairness issues with other areas and affects the establishment of the 2020 master plan. The ordinance amendment should proceed only after sufficient review, taking into account the changes to the master plan," expressing opposition to the amendment.

Residents of nearby industrial areas argued, "Residents within the 300-meter radius already receive city support funds as an indirect environmental impact area, and we are concerned about future land subdivision schemes. The ordinance amendment should be reconsidered," they claimed.

According to the city, the 790 households currently within a 300-meter radius of the Resource Recovery Facility receive quarterly support funds totaling approximately 69 million won in "development support and heating expenses" under the Law on Promotion of Installation of Waste Treatment Facilities and Support for Surrounding Areas.

In response, Councilmember Kim Ki-jeong stated, "Residents within a 300-meter radius, the indirect environmental impact area of the Suwon Resource Recovery Facility, are suffering double damage from development restrictions and environmental concerns. It is unfair to ask them to simply wait for a master plan revision whose timing is uncertain," he said.

He added, "The support funds are not substantial, and considering the current difference in housing prices within and outside the 300-meter radius, this would not provide significant benefits to these residents."

Meanwhile, the ordinance amendment is scheduled for review by the Urban Development and Construction Committee on the 27th.