The regional office revoked the consent of the Olomouc city hall for Šantovka Tower

Olomouc - The regional office of the Olomouc Region revoked the stance of the heritage conservationists from the magistrate again in mid-February, who had approved the planned construction of the Šantovka Tower high-rise building near the historic center of Olomouc. The regional authority found that the decision by the magistrate's heritage conservationists was not sufficiently justified and was in violation of the law. This is evident from documents published today on the website of the Architects' Club of Olomouc.
    The regional office annulled the stance of the magistrate's officials regarding the Šantovka Tower project for the first time last January. The heritage conservationists from the magistrate issued a new favorable statement last autumn, and their decision was important for the Šantovka investor, who could thereby continue preparation for the project. The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) subsequently requested the regional office to review the work of Olomouc officials again. The new binding stance also differs from the recommendations of the NPÚ, which does not agree with the construction of a high-rise building in the protective zone of the urban heritage reserve.
    The regional office found that the new stance of the magistrate's heritage conservationists permits the construction of a high-rise building based on non-existent project documentation. There are discrepancies in the listing of plots of land on which the building is to be constructed. "The wording of the binding stance is therefore unreviewable due to its ambiguity and uncertainty, thus unlawful," states the decision of the regional office, according to which such a formulated stance could not serve as a basis for issuing a decision on the placement of the building.
    The regional office noted that the officials did not justify their decision regarding why they did not assess the visualizations of the impact of the Šantovka Tower building on the skyline of the city, which were presented by the NPÚ. According to the regional office, the magistrate's heritage conservationists also ignored the opinion of the Scientific Council of the NPÚ.
    The heritage conservationists from the magistrate did not act in accordance with the law on state heritage care, as they did not assess the impact of the building on the urban heritage reserve, which has been the usual practice so far. The officials reportedly only took into account the uniqueness of this new building, the quality of the architecture, and its relationship to the yet-to-exist new neighborhood.
    "The heritage care department of the magistrate is bound by the decision issued by the regional office and acknowledges it. At this moment, the heritage care department is not conducting any further administrative proceedings in this matter," said the city hall spokesperson Radka Štědrá to the ČTK today. The ČTK is finding out whether the investor will request a new statement from the magistrate.
    The Šantovka Tower, at 75 meters tall, would share the position of the second tallest building in Olomouc with the town hall. Some experts also oppose its construction, claiming it would damage the skyline of the historic center of Olomouc. According to the investors, the skyline will not be disrupted.
    Due to the construction of the Šantovka Tower and administrative buildings, the development company Office Park Šantovka sued the town hall. The new zoning plan obstructed the construction of the high-rise building and other buildings in its vicinity. The court canceled the height regulation in this part of Olomouc at the end of February. However, the town hall has until the end of this year to re-justify the height regulation better.
    The construction of the Šantovka quarter, which is gradually being developed on 11 hectares, is estimated to cost ten billion crowns. It will include a residential neighborhood, a shopping center, and an office complex. Architects from the London studio Benoy are involved in the project located in the premises of the former Milo company.