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And while Yabra has been singled out for special attention, the truth is the city has been growing in a disorderly fashion for decades, without any plan or zoning considerations.

Viewers may remember the public disagreement that residents of Palm Grove had with the City Council 2 years ago when they learnt that an apartment complex was approved for construction in their community. Well, despite protestations, that complex now towers above the residential area.

Then, about a month ago, resident of Kings Park called us to complain about an apartment complex in their area. Today, the Mayor told us that these are all instances of an ad hoc attempts at zoning, and so, the council has decided to go all in on this policy but in consultation with the city residents:

Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City Council

"We are dealing with zoning and how we've dealt with it is in an ad hoc way. Recently I've had issues with residence in the Caribbean Shores area who wants a particular part of their area zoned. We recently dealt with zoning last year with the Palm Groves estate that was recently completed. We had zoning issues with Bella Vista, we've had the experience under Hon. Carlos Perdomo as it then was in terms of the Landivar area, so that zoning has really been an area that has been looked at in an ad hoc way but when you see all these issues coming to ahead, it really means that the city together with the central government partners need to take the bull by the horn, we need to lead the development of Belize City as opposed to like following up. If I'm investing in a particular area, I want to know the land use policy in that area for the next 30 years."

"I have met with several members of the community; I've looked the draft in terms of the zoning regulations. We're having a public meeting tomorrow evening so that we will disclose the draft, we will allow a comment period for people to either voice their concern there at the meeting or to respond in writing after the meeting so that they could; if they want to take it to their lawyer, whatever they want to do. Because we want this to be something and zoning has to be something that is organic and comes from the community but that you do need leadership in urban planning and zoning and this is a responsible way."

The City Council is inviting the residents of Kings Park out to a public meeting to be held tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. at the Lopez Mateos Park where they can make their views