Lonato Neighborhoods Meet: Addressing Traffic, Development and Sustainability
The «tour» of the Lonato municipal council in the neighborhoods to meet the residents recently held its third meeting in Maguzzano and Barcuzzi, two magnificent hamlets perched on the hills that descend towards the lake, offering an unparalleled view and among the gentlest landscapes along the entire Garda Riviera. Such splendor that it has inevitably become a target for significant real estate interests.
Over the past twenty years, Barcuzzi has experienced a somewhat tumultuous development; residences and villas have sprung up on the slope of Monte della Croce, inhabited by industrialists and famous personalities. The development of the neighboring Maguzzano, which boasts one of the oldest and most remarkable abbeys on the lake, has been less evident. However, this village also faces issues, and the risk of new concrete overbuilding, especially on the lakeside slope, is quite real.
Environmental and traffic issues
Given these premises, it was therefore inevitable that the discussion between residents and municipal officials focus on environmental concerns and the dangers of urbanization in an area that, despite the visible signs it bears, can still avoid disaster. But traffic also plays a role. The provincial road Lonato-Padenghe is traveled by thousands of vehicles every day, with peaks on weekends, especially during the tourist season.
The residents of Barcuzzi and Maguzzano complained that cars drive at reckless speeds, posing serious safety risks. They strongly urged the local authorities — Mayor Morando Perini and assessors Davide Baccinelli and Emilio Baresi — to commit to improving living conditions and safety in the two neighborhoods.
Baresi responded by announcing the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Barcuzzi and Maguzzano, along with other measures to prevent the provincial road from becoming a dangerous racing track. The roundabout will be built in collaboration with the Province.
The residents’ concerns about continuous residential developments were met with Baccinelli’s reply that, unfortunately, «this Administration inherited a series of zoning plans which we can no longer oppose». Fortunately, these are not major infrastructure projects.
Community requests and sustainability issues
The Maguzzano parish group, represented by some members, publicly requested an extension of the free loan agreement for the former school premises, where they hold activities. The agreement expires at the end of the year. “There are no problems in granting an extension,” assured Mayor Perini, “but we will also consider the possibility of offering some of the premises to other volunteer groups that have requested them.”
Finally, the officials clarified that the territory of Lonato, both towards the plains and in the direction of the lake, including Maguzzano and Barcuzzi, will not be affected by large-scale industrial plants or new quarrying operations.
This issue has been repeatedly discussed in recent days, especially following the news of the filing of an appeal to the Consiglio di Stato by the lawyers of Eurosea, the Bologna-based company interested in the construction of the campania thermogenerator.