In Liberec, objections to the proposal for a new zoning plan are increasing

Liberec - In Liberec, objections to the proposed new urban plan for the city are increasing. So far, over 360 have been received, said the spokesperson of the magistrate Pavel Chmelík to ČTK today. People are particularly unhappy with the planned construction on green areas or the possibility of building family homes in garden colonies. For example, dog handlers in Pavlovice are collecting signatures against the plan, which includes residential building construction on their training grounds. Additionally, 512 people signed a petition against the building planned in the garden colony under Hokejka, where construction is also anticipated. Residents around the botanical garden are preparing protests to support their objection due to the planned development of the local park.
      The current urban plan of Liberec is from 2002, and its validity expires in 2015. Until then, the city hall must prepare a new urban plan according to the new building law, which will also address the city's development for the next 20 to 30 years. "However, Liberec has, unlike other cities of similar size, limited opportunities for development," said architect Jiří Plašil, co-author of the proposal from the SAUL design studio, to ČTK. Citizens can submit objections and comments on the urban plan proposal until May 27.
      "There were discussions about construction in garden colonies even at public meetings; we will try to accommodate people's needs and come to an agreement with them," said Jiří Šolc, the economic deputy of the mayor (Liberec to the citizens), to ČTK. Gardeners are concerned that if construction is allowed in gardens, a speculator or developer may appear who starts buying land from elderly people and blackmailing others. Even today, dozens of applications from garden owners for the construction of family homes are already on the city hall's desk, and houses already exist in some colonies.
      The city of Liberec, with a population of 100,000, is bordered by the Jizera Mountains and the Ještěd Ridge. These are forested areas that are protected and cannot be built on. The possibility of construction on high-quality agricultural land is also limited. According to Plašil, Liberec is unique for its green belts, which extend from the mountain ranges and separate the constructions in the city. "We definitely want to preserve this greenery and allow construction there as little as possible," added the architect.
      The proposal for the new urban plan of Liberec anticipates further development of the regional city in the coming years, with its population expected to increase from the current approximately 100,000 to 106,000 people and possibly up to 120,000 in the long run. Therefore, around 11,000 new apartments should be built in the city in the coming years; many projects have already been approved, but their realization has halted due to the crisis.