Speeding Up Approval of New Prg Amid Controversy and Dissent
Another step forward in the approval process of the new Prg. The City Council has indeed approved by majority the general variation to the urban planning tool, which will now be displayed in the Municipality for 30 days, available to residents, who will then have an additional 30 days to submit any observations.
Objections are expected to be numerous, given the criticisms of the variation’s contents (which we outlined in recent days) raised by the opposition councils. Cristina Milani, an environmentalist, strongly challenged the demographic analysis justifying an increase in housing to meet the needs of the 1,759 new residents expected in the coming years: “This operation – said Councillor Milani – will lead to an influx of immigrants who will take advantage of the new housing availability, risking to increase the phenomenon of second homes.”
Environmental and promotional criticisms of the variation
Cristina Milani also criticized the environmental impact of the upcoming executive plans under Monte Castello, in Vigna, in the Bornico valley, or below the church of Monte Maderno. Controversy also surrounds the lack of promotion in understanding the contents of the variation: “No public assemblies, no debates, no access to the new urban planning tool for minorities.”
“We saw the maps of the new Prg – said Cristina Milani – just a week ago.” Doubts also emerge among the Proposta group. According to former mayor Silvano Boni, the situation is characterized by “methodological and administrative contradictions that manifest in a disruptive way.”
“The variation – Boni adds – offers no solutions to traffic issues, the needs of artisans, the hope to free the lakeside promenade from ferry traffic, and to address the problem of separating vehicle flows in support of the Cartiera.” Boni also criticized the hotel forecasts made without traffic studies and the building concessions planned in the camping area.
Councilor Giorgio Pippa worsened the situation by speaking of “demographic forecasts that provide an alibi for interventions of a private interest.” The new general variation to the Prg also raises some doubts within the majority itself. During the discussion, former councilors Giuliano Capuccini and Carla Fumagalli Menoni left the chamber as a sign of dissent.
Mayor Paolo Elena instead claims the validity and urgency of the new Plan: “We prepared a Prg in just two years because hundreds of residents could no longer wait. We reviewed 492 requests, an enormous amount of work that had been pending for years. Since ’93, we had not provided answers to the needs of Toscomadernesi. We couldn’t let them wait any longer.”
“We found variation requests filed at the Municipality since ’92 – added Councilor Righettini –. There were issues that dragged on for years and needed to be addressed. We have done that. It is also possible that the Prg can be improved.” Starting next week, the technical office will have the appropriate forms to submit any observations.
