Toscolano Maderno Approves New Zoning Plan Amid Absences and Protests
“We have approved 71 percent of the 400 variance requests,” said the mayor of Toscolano Maderno, Paolo Elena, during the last city council meeting. However, at the time of adopting the new Zoning Plan, only eight members were present out of seventeen. Lacking the quorum, the vote was postponed to Monday, November 5. Some did not attend, such as Carlamaria Menoni Fumagalli, Pier Angelo Bonaspetti, Giuliano Capuccini (who are also part of the majority of the Polo), or Daniela Vassalini. Two others, the deputy mayor Vincenzo Chimini and the assembly president Sergio Bertasio (a musician), left the chamber because some of their close relatives, within the third degree, are directly involved in construction projects. Three members of the opposition (Cristina Milani, environmentalist; Silvano Boni; and Giorgio Pippa) protested by leaving the room.
Details on the Urban and Demographic Plan
The author of the urban planning document, architect Mario Abba, explained the key points. The population of Toscolano Maderno decreased from 6,800 to 6,653 inhabitants between 1971 and 1991, then rose again to 7,109. The number of households, however, continually increased: from 2,695 to 2,720, with the current count at 3,202. Once “matriarchal,” now small nuclei. This dynamic results in a different way of living, with standards that differ from the past.
Thus, 140,000 cubic meters have been allocated on the territory, half of which are new constructions (for 500 residents) and the other half in areas designated for completion. Abba explained that at least 50 percent will need to be under agreement, to meet the needs of less wealthy residents. 138,340 square meters of green space will be used, with 30 percent dedicated to services (parking lots, public areas). To limit the use of land areas, building indices have been increased.
Urban and Tourist Interventions
In historic centers, procedures for the restoration and renewal of buildings are being simplified. The proposal for approximately one thousand new housing units, expressed in recent months, was accepted. Regarding hotels (thirty-three exist, none with more than three stars), the architect explained that the supply is limited and mostly aimed at middle- and low-income families. Therefore, there is a need to upgrade the sector by creating 800-900 new rooms, with appropriate conference rooms and services.
It is necessary for the structures to be larger than current ones. Tourist villages must be managed centrally, rented for at least one week (up to three months), with a registered and transcribed restriction. Regulations have been introduced for campsites that allow requesting (and obtaining) standard improvements.
Redevelopment and Infrastructure
Other details: the Navigarda dock will need to be relocated. A port and a cycling-pedestrian trail along the entire lakeside area will be created. The large area adjacent to the sports field, mostly already municipal property, will be redeveloped as a bathing facility (local administrators of the Polo support the involvement of a private group, both during construction and management).
An effort will be made to promote agritourism, hospitality, and catering activities, with particular interest in the old inland buildings, possibly abandoned. The Valle delle Cartiere, with which an agreement has been established with the Provincial Administration, is considered crucial for naturalistic and environmental enhancement, to be implemented through detailed planning.
The former mayor Boni and Pippa criticized the short timeframe allowed to review the new Zoning Plan (only four days), claiming that space for opposition is now nearly nonexistent. Elena argued that the municipal administration has been working on the urban planning process for about two years and is satisfied with the responses provided to citizens, many of whom have been waiting since ’97 (“we have approved 71 percent of their variance requests”).
At the time of voting, due to absences and “political” exits, as well as other interests, the quorum was not met. The matter will be revisited, as mentioned, in one week. Instead, the building regulation was adopted (the previous one dated back to 1971). It was necessary to incorporate Lombardy Region’s directives. The regulation aligns with the Territorial Coordination Plan of the Community Mountain Park (Parco). The regulation resolution will be displayed for thirty days. During the following thirty days, citizens will have the opportunity to submit observations.
