Šantovka Tower still in the game

Source
Spolek Za krásnou Olomouc a Iniciativa Občané proti Šantovce Tower

Publisher
Tisková zpráva
23.05.2018 09:50

The project of the residential high-rise building Šantovka contradicts the heritage protection law and would damage the historical panorama of Olomouc - after failing in the zoning proceedings, the investor is moving their high-rise building to a new location - however, the unacceptable conflict with the historic core of the city is not resolved - the prepared change of the zoning plan in the Šantovka area resets the construction rules otherwise applicable to the whole of Olomouc - furthermore, it highlights a clear contradiction of ŠTW with the public interest - yet it is uncertain whether the city council will approve the change - The Initiative Citizens Against ŠTW therefore urgently urges council members and the general public to advocate for the protection of the interests of Olomouc. The decisive council meeting will take place on June 4, 2018.

ŠTW IN A NEW LOCATION

"The original plan for ŠTW situated at the end of Šantova Street is being called off. The main reason is ultimately the insufficient setbacks from the residential buildings on Šantova Street and from the new residential area in the former Sochor Barracks. There, the developer respects height limits and thus did not face difficulties in the approval process," explains Martina Mertová from the association For a Beautiful Olomouc.

However, the investor of ŠTW, Office Park Šantovka s.r.o., is not giving up on their project and is slightly shifting it to a new position near Wittgensteinova Street /fig.1/. The actual ŠTW building has not significantly changed in height of 78.6 meters, footprint, or mass and remains within the protective zone of the municipal heritage reservation with all adverse effects on the historical panorama of Olomouc /fig. 2-4/. The investor has already submitted a request for zoning proceedings, and once they provide all necessary documents, the actual proceedings can proceed relatively quickly.

CHANGE OF THE ZONING PLAN

In this situation, the immediate approval of Change No. II of the Zoning Plan for Olomouc is now crucial, which would restore the maximum height of new development to 23 meters in the Šantovka area that was previously annulled by the court. This would finally rectify the current, ongoing unacceptable state that has allowed the construction of buildings of any height near the historic core for over two years. All objections from the ŠTW investor have been properly assessed and settled according to the law, and the change is ready to be discussed at the June council meeting.

"Šantovka Tower is clearly in contradiction with the public interest," states architect David Helcel from the Initiative Citizens Against Šantovka Tower and quotes directly from the text portion of the proposed change: "The intention of the high-rise building Šantovka Tower is unacceptable due to its unequivocally negative impact on the urban composition, damage to the panorama, and characteristic image of the city of Olomouc." And further: "The image of the city of Olomouc is generally perceived as highly positive in its current form. Its protection is therefore clearly in the public interest and fully in line with the goals of urban planning and the concept of the Zoning Plan for Olomouc."

Olomouc is the second most significant urban heritage reservation in the Czech Republic right after Prague. As evidence of how easily the harmony of the historical center can be disrupted, the text of the zoning plan change cites an example of a constructed high-rise building on Kosmonautů Avenue: "The MVŠO building competes with the slender towers of the historic core of the city - it is simply too massive and too tall and too close. From the perspective of urban composition and its impact on the city's panorama, we therefore consider the construction of the MVŠO high-rise to be a mistake."

We must not repeat a similar mistake; private interests of developers must not outweigh the public interest of Olomouc, its residents, and visitors. These conclusions are obvious, the law on municipalities speaks clearly: "The municipality cares for the overall development of its territory and the needs of its citizens; in performing its tasks, it also protects the public interest."

Yet it is not certain at this moment that the necessary majority of council members will approve the presented change to the zoning plan.
"The situation is serious, so we are negotiating with Olomouc councilors and regional politicians, reaching out to prominent personalities, and activating the general public. Remember the demonstration in 2013 when over 400 citizens gathered in front of the town hall," recalls Professor of Art History Rostislav Švácha.

On behalf of the Initiative Citizens Against Šantovka Tower and the association For a Beautiful Olomouc:
Prof. PhDr. Rostislav Švácha
Mgr. Martina Mertová 777 576 087
Ing. arch. David Helcel 776 361 159
Ing. arch. Tomáš Pejpek
Ing. arch. Pavel Grasse
Mgr. Michal Krejčí
akad. soch. Martin Lubič
Mgr. Dominika Kovaříková
Ing. arch. Petr Daněk
Petr Macek

more info:

https://www.facebook.com/obcaneprotisantovkatower/

http://www.zachrantepanoramaolomouce.cz/

text portion of Change No. II of the Zoning Plan for Olomouc:
9. 4 Comprehensive justification of the solution of Change No. II in relation to the intention of constructing ŠTW - pp. 17-20

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