Brno received 1800 comments on the update of the zoning plan

Brno - The Brno city hall received around 1800 comments and objections regarding the update of the zoning plan that met the required conditions. More than 2000 additional comments cannot be classified as duly submitted, according to the spokesperson of the Brno city council, Pavel Žára. Within a few weeks, the city hall will prepare a proposal for addressing the comments and decisions on the objections.
     According to Žára, it is not possible to precisely determine what people commented on the most. "Everyone was interested in their property, their surroundings, so from the total number, no single major specific problem emerged," Žára stated, adding that the city hall will deal with each suggestion.
     People could express their views on the update of the zoning plan until February 11. From the total number of valid submissions, there were over 500 comments and nearly 1300 objections. Other suggestions lacked the necessary requirements, such as an electronic signature. "More than 2300 submissions were not eligible to have legal effects," Žára said.
     While anyone could submit a comment, only the property owner, an authorized investor, or a representative of the public could file an objection, meaning a natural or legal person who demonstrably represents at least 200 citizens submitting substantively identical comments. Each objection submitted by a public representative thus had to have 200 signatures.
     The Department of Urban Planning and Development of the City of Brno will prepare a proposal for addressing the conditions and deciding on the objections within a few weeks. The proposal will be delivered to state authorities and the regional office, which have 30 days to express their opinions.
     The update to the 20-year-old zoning plan has caused outrage among residents and activists. In particular, civic initiatives and opposition councilors from the Green Party in Brno point out that the changes will increase the index of floor areas, allowing taller buildings to be constructed, or that it will be possible to build stores on areas designated for greenery. However, the city hall has rejected such claims from the beginning, emphasizing that the update is merely a response to the development of the city.