People at the city hall expressed their opinions on the concept of the zoning plan

Happening "Clean Ears Action...", organized by civic associations before today's public discussion of the concept of the zoning plan

Prague - Today, people expressed their views on the concept of the zoning plan at the Prague City Hall. Approximately 300 people came to hear how the city proposes to change the zoning plan and possibly submit comments. In the morning, officials from the city presented a working version of the zoning plan to the public, and in the afternoon, the public raised their objections.
    People had comments on the concept of the zoning plan related to the planned expropriation of land for the city ring road in Suchdol, potential development around the Roztyly metro station, a golf course in Klánovice Forest, or the proposed residential areas in Veleslavín.
    The concept of the new zoning plan was made available by Prague at the beginning of November. Today’s meeting is the first where people could publicly submit their comments. They still have the opportunity to send them in writing until December 9.
    The new zoning plan is expected to come into effect in 2012 and will be valid for about 15 years. Compared to the current plan, a new feature will be height and spatial regulation, which should ensure that new buildings do not exceed an appropriate volume and height in relation to their surroundings.
    The plan includes, for example, a new metro line D, development of tram and railway lines. It includes the construction of the city and Prague ring road, expansion of the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, or tunnel connection between Masaryk and Smíchov stations. However, it will also allow for some controversial projects, such as the construction of cable cars to Kavčí hory and Dívčí hrady.
    People who want to familiarize themselves more closely with the zoning plan and submit objections filled the council chamber to capacity. Officials therefore had to seek additional chairs. Various associations are protesting against some proposals. Even before the meeting began, the association Arnika and opponents of the golf course construction in Klánovice held a happening in front of the City Hall. They are unhappy that there is only one meeting where people can publicly raise their objections.
    Representatives from other civic associations also attended the meeting, who are, for example, opposed to the Prague bypass through Suchdol, the congested main road, or the development of land around the Roztyly metro station.
    "We came to justify our remark and objection to the new zoning plan in connection with the city-wide significant change to the zoning plan for Velké Roztyly," said Šárka Zdeňková from the civic association Zelené Roztyly to ČTK. The association strives to ensure that the 36 hectares near the Roztyly metro station is not developed. The current zoning plan preserves the functional use of the area for greenery, but this could change with the approval of a city-wide significant change that could give the green light for extensive construction.
    "We perceive the concept of the zoning plan quite positively, but we disagree with the city-wide significant change that overrides the existing zoning plan," added Zdeňková. "We believe that this area deserves more detailed studies. That is why Roztyly are part of the city-wide significant changes," said Jitka Cvetlerová, director of the city zoning office.
    The Zelené Roztyly association acted as a representative of the public. It has over 200 signatures empowering it to act on this matter in their name.