Opposition claims that the leadership of Liberec is concealing the preparation of the land-use plan

Liberec - The opposition party Change for Liberec claims that the leadership of the city, which has a population of one hundred thousand, is concealing the preparation of the zoning plan. The city hall's leadership rejects this criticism. Deputy Jiří Rutkovský (Union for Sport and Health) even told journalists today that the city hall’s procedure is above standard.
    There have been over 700 objections and comments submitted against the proposed zoning plan, such as residents of Ostašov protesting against the proposed route of the collecting road. The new zoning plan is expected to be approved by the councilors in June next year. However, Rutkovský wants to know the councilors' opinions on resolving the objections right now, but wants to discuss this with them at a non-public meeting next Monday. Change is not pleased with this.
    “Decision-making, including a convincing justification, on citizens' objections is the most essential part of the creation of the zoning plan. Why this solution and not that one. Why I consider these objections relevant and those not,” stated Vladislav Chvála on behalf of Change. “Without this component, the zoning plan as a public matter and all previous steps and public participation during the discussion become null and void, turning the matter into something purely backstage and susceptible to schemes and suspicions, left to chance,” he believes.
    Rutkovský argues that the current phase of the discussion is non-public. He justifies it by saying that while assessing individual objections, the way of their resolution can change several times based on the opinions of the environmental agency or other affected authorities. “I wouldn’t have to ask anyone right now. I am proceeding beyond the law. However, I want to know the majority opinion of the council on what position to take,” Rutkovský stated. According to him, the public will still be able to express their opinions on the approval of the zoning plan.
    The opposition is also unhappy that the city hall has suspended the preparation of the green area study. “This study was supposed to protect quality and mature greenery on buildable areas in the zoning plan. If it does not materialize, then the landowner or investor does not have to take the greenery into account and can destroy it and build on the area regardless of whether it involves mature century-old trees or a lawn,” stated councilor Karolína Hrbková on behalf of Change. According to Rutkovský, one of the main reasons for suspending the study was a lack of funds, as its preparation would cost two million crowns. Next year, the city hall plans to return to the study, and the entire process will take about a year.
    The current zoning plan for Liberec dates back to 2002, and its validity expires in 2015. By then, the city hall must prepare a new one that will address the development of the city for the next 20 to 30 years.