Hong Kong – Town Planning Board maintains its previous decision to amend zoning of site at northernmost part of Old Course of Fanling Golf Course to “Undetermined” temporarily

Town Planning Board maintains its previous decision to amend zoning of site at northernmost part of Old Course of Fanling Golf Course to “Undetermined” temporarily

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     The Town Planning Board (TPB) completed today (October 20) the deliberation on the further representations on the proposed amendment to the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui Extension Area Outline Zoning Plan No. S/FSSE/1 (the draft OZP) and decided to amend the draft OZP by the proposed amendment, i.e. rezoning the 9.5-hectare site at the northernmost portion of the draft OZP (the Site) from “Residential (Group A)” to “Undetermined” (“U”) temporarily.
 
​     Having considered thoroughly 1 903 further representations, the oral submissions of about 60 attendees in the three-day hearing, as well as the views and responses of the Planning Department and relevant departments, the TPB arrived at the decision after discussion at its meeting this afternoon.
 
     The TPB was aware that the Hong Kong Golf Club had lodged a judicial review (JR) against the Director of Environmental Protection’s decision to approve with conditions the Environmental Impact Assessment related to the draft OZP (the Decision), and the Court had granted an interim stay on the Decision, but made it clear that the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) could go ahead with the review on the layout and development intensity of the proposed public housing development at the Site in accordance with the relevant approval conditions under the Decision. The TPB took a cautious approach in considering the further representations, taking into account the relevant content in the Court’s decision. The TPB also noted that the Court’s decision on the interim stay did not legally prevent the TPB from proceeding with the hearing and submission of the draft OZP to the Chief Executive in Council (CE in C). 
 
​     After thorough discussion, the TPB considered the “U” zoning for the Site appropriate at this stage since such land use zoning serves as a transitional arrangement and does not determine the permanent use of the Site. It allows the CEDD to conduct the review with flexibility to cater for possible outcomes of the JR, while providing appropriate planning control on the Site during the interim period. The TPB would submit the draft OZP to the CE in C for consideration before the statutory time limit of November 30, 2023.
 
​     The TPB acknowledged that the long-term use of the Site would only be confirmed upon completion of the CEDD’s review and the JR proceedings. Any further rezoning of the Site in future would be processed in accordance with the Town Planning Ordinance, and the public would have the opportunity to submit representations.

Hermann Park Golf Course Celebrates 100 Years

 The Oaks. The Greens. The Legends. Hermann Park Golf Course is celebrating 100 years. This historic golf course was born in 1922 and was the first integrated golf course in Houston. Over the past 100 years, the course has served millions of Houstonians and visitors.

To commemorate this occasion, March 15 will be declared “Hermann Park Golf Course Day” with the mayor attending festivities at the clubhouse at noon. Other numerous events will be planned throughout the year including a recognition tournament in the summer, a community outreach event in the fall and an end-of-year party for customers. Special 100-year logo merchandise along with giveaways will be available all year long.

A brief history George Hermann, a real estate investor, donated 258 acres of his own property to the City of Houston in 1914, the location of which fit in nicely with Arthur Comey’s first ever city planning document calling for a major park to be built along the Brays Bayou and across Main Street from the Rice Institute campus. Two years later, the city accepted a design proposal from famed architect George E. Kessler. Kessler deemed that an area of the park should be set aside as an 18-hole golf course where Houstonians from all backgrounds could play the game. The outbreak of World War I halted funding and construction until 1922 when Oscar Holcombe became the newly elected mayor of Houston and revitalized Hermann Park with renewed public support.

During that same year Hermann Park Golf Course, following a design by Houston stockbroker George V. Rotan and engineer David M. Duller, became open to the public making it the first municipal golf course in Houston. During the Great Depression, improvements were made to the clubhouse and rest areas, among other things, by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) led by Jesse Jones. The CCC was a federally funded organization, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, that put tens of thousands of Americans to work on projects with environmental benefits. Hermann Park Golf Course benefitted from this organization which was considered one of the most enduring and successful of FDR’s New Deal policies.

In 1989, BSL Golf Corp. was awarded a contract for management of Hermann Park Golf Course for the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Since then, BSL has managed the course for three decades providing improvements of over $10 million, including upgrades to the fairways, greens, tee boxes, and irrigation systems. In addition, BSL has added 9 lakes and planted over 1200 trees. In 1999, the golf course was redesigned by local golf course architect Carlton Gipson, and a new clubhouse was constructed. In 2019, BSL Golf Corp. won the Houston Beautiful Mayor’s Proud Partner Award as a result of their work on the Hermann Park Golf Course. Nestled in the heart of Houston adjacent to Hermann Park, the golf course features 18 holes on oak-lined fairways, a 3-acre lighted driving range, lakes, pro shop and clubhouse with veranda that can serve over 150 people. Hermann Park Golf Course is open seven days a week to the public and conveniently located for residents and visitors to The Texas Medical Center, The Museum District, Rice University and Downtown Houston. About BSL BSL Golf Corporation is a Houston, Texas based boutique golf management company founded in 1986. BSL has owned, built, designed, and operated 17 golf facilities since 1986 and hosted several PGA Tour events. BSL specializes in customized management solutions while maximizing profits and having a culture that promotes integrity and a genuine friendly customer experience throughout its facilities.

BSL is committed in building and maintaining a diverse workforce that is inclusive of people from all walks of life and communities. About the Houston Parks and Recreation Department The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) stewards and manages 381 parks and over 39,501 acres of parkland and greenspace for the City of Houston and develops and implements recreational programming for citizens of all ages and abilities. The Hermann Park Golf is managed for the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department by BSL Golf Corp.

For more information on the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, call (832) 395-7022 or visit www.houstonparks.org. For further information or to set up interview, call Maulana Dotch at (713) 526-0077 or email at mdotch@bslgolf.com.

Hermann Park Golf Course

Maulana Dotch

713-526-0077

hermannparkgc.com

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Canada – Online Course Shines a Spotlight on Mental Health in the Workplace 

Hamilton, ON – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a free online course to help organizations in Canada create awareness and recognize the importance of psychological health and safety in the workplace.

Psychological Health and Safety Awareness provides an introduction to workplace mental health including an overview of the six categories of psychosocial factors and how they impact the mental health of individuals and groups.

Recommended for anyone interested in learning about psychological health and safety at work, participants will develop an understanding of why workplace mental health is important and the roles and responsibilities of workers and managers in creating a psychologically healthy and safe environment.

Psychological Health and Safety Awareness is available on the CCOHS website.

Jennifer Howse

Senior Communications Specialist

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

(289) 442-4057  

media@ccohs.ca 

www.ccohs.ca

Canada – Online Course Provides COVID-19 Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers

Hamilton, ON – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed an online course to help employers and temporary foreign workers in agricultural operations learn how to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 at work.

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19: Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers is available for free in English, French and Spanish, and provides information for workers on the factors that significantly contribute to the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, the control measures to take to protect themselves while working, living and travelling to and from work, and what to do if they become sick with COVID-19.

The course outlines how to identify and apply COVID-19 control measures in an agricultural workplace, including physical distancing, good hygiene practices, cleaning and disinfecting, and ventilation to protect temporary foreign workers who work in cohorts, live in congregate housing, and share transportation. The course also provides information on worker rights and responsibilities, agricultural occupational hazards, personal protective equipment, and where to obtain occupational health and safety and mental health resources.

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19: Guidance for Temporary Foreign Workers is accessible from the CCOHS website.

Jennifer Howse

Senior Communications Specialist

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

(289) 442-4057  

media@ccohs.ca 

www.ccohs.ca