Height restrictions lifted in Susaek-dong — former Zone 14 development to fast-track

Eunpyeong-gu in Seoul will fast-track building permits and architectural planning for the urban public housing complex project at the former Susaek Zone 14 (around 311 Susaek-dong), following the lifting of a flight safety zone designation in the Susaek-dong area on Tuesday.

The change stems from an amendment to the enforcement decree of the Military Bases and Installations Protection Act. Under the revised rules, Susaek Airfield has been reclassified as a helicopter-only operations base, eliminating the building height restrictions that had applied to the surrounding Susaek-dong area.

The former Susaek Zone 14 was selected in 2021 as a pilot candidate for the urban public housing complex project but had been unable to finalize its building plans due to the height restrictions.

The district had been pushing to lift the restrictions by commissioning an obstacle impact assessment within the flight safety zone and repeatedly urging the relevant military unit and the Ministry of National Defense to ease the regulations based on the findings. The removal of the flight safety zone designation reflects the acceptance of those requests.

"We can now move forward in earnest with a project that has been held back by height restrictions since it was selected as a candidate site in 2021," Eunpyeong-gu District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said. "We will expedite the permitting process so residents can enjoy their new living environment as soon as possible."