People in Brno discussed changes to the zoning plan at the city hall

Brno - Today, a public discussion on the update of Brno's zoning plan lasted more than three hours. According to the spokesman of the city council, Pavel Žára, the city will address the comments, but they were so diverse that it is not yet possible to say what bothers people the most.
    About 300 citizens came to the Brno city hall to discuss the changes with representatives of the Department of Urban Planning and Development. Some inquired generally about transportation, the floor area index, or ecology, while others were interested in specific areas in the city districts. Since the beginning of January, the city hall has received nearly a thousand comments and objections from residents regarding the update.
    "We will deal with the comments and objections once we categorize them. We have tried to organize them into some areas, but they are so diverse that it is not yet possible to be very specific about what bothers people the most," said Žára.
    During the discussion, people repeatedly objected to the change in the floor area index. Its increase in various locations will allow for the construction of multi-story buildings in places where there are only family houses. One resident complained that a housing estate is supposed to be built near the natural monument of Holásecká lakes. She pointed out that nature could suffer because of this.
    Former Brno councilor Martin Prchal objected to the establishment of a central cemetery in the Soběšice district. "The cemetery would be built on a meadow and is supposed to offer up to 20,000 burial places. There are 2,000 people living in Soběšice, which is a significant imbalance," said Prchal. According to him, it would devalue people's investments in family homes. "People made their largest investment in life, took out mortgages, and the construction of the cemetery will partially devalue their homes. This raises the question of whether they will want to continue being Brno residents when Brno treats them this way," he stated. According to him, a discussion and compromise in the form of a smaller cemetery would suffice.
    Another participant, Matěj Holan, said that the update of the zoning plan is unclear, and people are confused about it. He stated that the city hall does not properly address the citizens' comments. "At the Ecological Institute Veronica, anyone can sign a petition. If we obtain 200 signatures, we will file an objection that the city council must address," Holan urged those present to take action.
    Objections to the draft zoning plan can only be submitted by owners of land and buildings affected by the proposed solution, authorized investors, or representatives of the public, such as civic associations.
    The current zoning plan of Brno is 20 years old. People can familiarize themselves with the revised proposal, including the assessment of impacts on sustainable development, until February 11 at the city hall building on Kounicova Street. Until this date, they can also send comments and objections regarding it.