Letter - Additional Parking

Dear Editor,

I read with great dismay the article on the “Additional Parking” proposal in the July 1^st 2006 edition of Tiara Times.

As the owner of a unit facing the vacant piece of land along Jalan 17/1, it is of grave concern to me that this piece could one day be converted into a parking lot.

I understand that lack of parking poses a problem to residents here. In fact, in that article, it was highlighted that some potential buyer even chose not to conclude a deal to purchase a property here due to this factor. May I inform the Tiara Management Committee (TMC) that I on the other hand, decided to close the deal and purchase a unit here a year ago mainly because I was attracted to the greenery surrounding this area. Unlike newly developed area in Damansara Perdana, Kota Damansara and Mount Kiara, I deliberately chose to buy a unit in Tiara Damansara because of the mature trees and green banks surrounding the condominium. This is because I felt the greenery imparted a serene and lovely ambience to the condo setting.

It was further mentioned in the article that converting the land bank into a car park would be in the interest of residents and proprietors. Is it not unfair for the TMC to speak on behalf of the residents who will not be affected by this conversion? Was a survey made before TMC made that statement? If no survey has been made, how then would TMC know that it would be in the interest of all residents and owners?

Is it acceptable, or just, that in TMC’s attempt to provide car parking facilities for some, it is done at the expense of those who may be adversely affected by this conversion? The Management need to look after and serve the interests of ALL residents in Tiara. And in providing for the interest of some, it should not be at the expense of or detrimental to the interests of others.

The article also mentioned that the value of property would increase as the result of this conversion. But for owners of units facing the proposed car park, we know our apartments will come down in value. We do not need the services of a genius to tell us that! For, with the car park located adjacent to our units, we (those owning ground floor ones) will have unwelcome lights shining into our homes and, more distressingly, into our bedrooms. Needless to say our privacy will be invaded.

I therefore urge that the Management to act justly and serve in the interest of all Tiarans. Decisions made through ballots during an EGM or AGM do not reflect a good management, since good management is all about exercising good and fair judgement before implementing proposals for the benefits of all. As I see it, instead of bringing a spirit of camaraderie and cohesion between Tiarans, this car park issue will create tension and revulsion between the residents of Tiara.

Julien Repellin