Toscolano Maderno Revamps River Mouth with New Tourism and Camping Plans
In Toscolano Maderno’s urban plan, the mouth of the river, that is, the camping area, was classified as a “white zone,” meaning it was without any designated use. This decision was made by the Lombardy Region’s council in May 1993, which sent the folder back and asked for a detailed solution to be studied. Thousands and thousands of square meters needed a clear course of action. Now, the town council has made a decision. After seven years.
The decision on the revitalization of the mouth of the river
“Here are the main campsites present in the area,” explains architect Mario Abba in his accompanying report. “On the east side of the stream, along via Religone, next to the new sports field, there are 16,620 square meters occupied by productive structures, the Cantieri del Garda, long since decommissioned. Further north, there are also structures of historical significance, used to serve the greenery and the small squares. The urban sector,” he adds, “is supplied with all utilities: electricity, water, gas, sewerage, and telephone network.”
Yes, but what will change?
“We intend to confirm the tourism and hospitality vocation of the mouth,” say Mayor Paolo Elena and the administrators. “Creating conditions to start a process of requalification. The variant proposes, along the lakeshore, the creation of a cycle-pedestrian path that can connect the entire coastline, from Maderno to Toscolano.
We also plan to extend and enhance the small port existing to the east of the stream. A public structure that, together with other services, could offer a richer and more qualified range of options.”
The new designations and campsites
“The current campsites will remain. The tourist settlements will replace the decommissioned productive buildings. This choice is linked to the fact that the old Cantieri, in a state of decay, are no longer compatible with the current urban layout. The high dismantling costs can be covered by reconversion projects that are compatible with the territory and at the same time profitable.”
Thus, a new D8 zone is introduced on part of the mouth of the river. With a volume of 24,930 cubic meters, representing 78 percent of the existing (I (31,960 cubic meters)). Hotels and houses—in other words, for vacations.
11 units, managed collectively, must have at least seven rooms, with or without independent kitchen facilities. Hotel tourist residences, offering accommodations in apartments made up of one or more rooms, are also included in this category, but the stay must exceed seven days. Vacation homes: it will be possible to rent them for periods less than three months (consecutive).
Land use index: 0.50; maximum height nine and a half meters. Regarding campsites, it has been decided that mobile structures, with a surface area between 10 and 40 square meters and a maximum height of six meters, should not exceed 25 percent of the total authorized pitches. Sale, leasing for multiple years, or any other form of transfer that diminishes the public, collective nature of the complexes is prohibited.
The following indices will be respected: on the land plot, one inhabitant per square meter; pitches of at least 50 sqm (for tents, caravans, and campers); and uniform bungalow typologies.
The positive aspects and criticisms
The zoning definition preserves some positive aspects, such as the creation of a lakeside promenade, the identification of the port opposite the former Cantieri del Garda, no longer the large structure near the Marchi family’s paper mill, the enhancement of the sports center (sailing near the football field), and the acquisition by the municipality of the Camozzi buildings.
While generally agreeing with the operation, the center-left minorities abstained after unsuccessfully requesting height reductions, a preliminary debate, and a less approximate assessment of the needs of campers, in order to better understand their requirements.