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| Tamarindo Pushes Ahead With Regulatory Plan |
| Tuesday, 25 December 2007 | |||
 (TBT) A group of private developers has pledged money to push ahead with a stalled project for a regulatory plan in Tamarindo. At a meeting last Friday, $20,000 was promised by two different private parties to revive plans for a Plan Regulador, which is essentially a blueprint for what type of development will be allowed in Tamarindo. “If we don’t protect it, I really believe Tamarindo is doomed,” said ... ... Toni Vandewalle, a Tamarindo homeowner who called the meeting. “We are on a downward slide and it is only the beginning of that slide.” “The only way to stop the chaos is to set rules and guidelines that are enforceable.” The plan, being drafted by Hector Chavarría of Costa Rica’s Institute of Housing and Urban Development (INVU), aims to bring order to 25 square kilometers of land around Tamarindo including Santa Rosa, Cañafístula, Pinilla, and Villareal. Federico Amador, Executive Director for the Asociación Pro Mejoras de Playa Tamarindo, said with the recent pledges they will have a final draft in two months. The whole process, he said, should be complete within one year. One of the most controversial issues around the regulatory plan so far has been building height. According to Mr Chavarría, zones in the tourist area of Tamarindo should be limited to six stories. The number could be even less he said, depending on a review of the Environmental Fragility Index (IFA) — a mandatory $8000 study completed in Tamarindo, in May.  Photo (TBT): Tamarindo Pushes Ahead With Regulatory Plan This is a current legal restriction, although he said it is often ignored. “A balance must be negotiated and put into place,” he said. “I am not opposed to height. Height doesn’t scare me, but if you want height there must be infrastructure.” “If someone wants to make 30-story buildings like was mentioned to me, the community must have a highway capable of accommodating what that building would signify in terms of transport.” “Can you imagine a building as big as that on a street that barely has eight meters right-of-way?” Under Chavarría’s plan, the main boulevard in Tamarindo would become a pedestrian walkway and at least two key roads would be opened up several blocks back from the beach. The idea would be to bring vehicle traffic in and out of the town. Some of the town’s commercial activity would be pulled away from the beach to what would effectively be a new town center towards Beko S.A., one of the town’s water suppliers. The designer said he wants to turn the hills in Tamarindo into national or municipal parks and protect rivers and stream zones. Mr Chavarría also advocated a civic center to house a bus stop with a fire station, police, Red Cross, and other public institutions. “I have known Tamarindo for a long time,” he said. “It is a mess and must be fixed.” The designer drafted a preliminary proposal in February, but it stalled shortly after due to lack of funds. A boost in membership dues in August allowed him to revisit the draft. He said with the money now put forward, he is confident he can have a final draft in two months. Mr Chavarría’s brother, Jorge Chavarría, the Mayor of Santa Cruz, has also pledged his support. According to Mr Amador, the cross-institutional support will be a key factor in its success. “We have two key players representing two institutions that have something to say about the Plan Regulador,” said Mr Amador. “Our major concern right now is SETENA (National Technical Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment) — not because they are going to say no to the plan — but they’re involved in many works right now.” He said he is concerned the environmental watchdog may have too much on its plate to approve the plan in a timely fashion. He noted, however, that an “administrative silence” law exists which gives SETENA just three months to take action. If they do not either approve or reject the plan within that timeframe, it automatically passes through. Following draft completion, the plan must get approval from the Municipality of Santa Cruz and a public hearing is then called. All questions are answered and then approval from INVU is sought. Following that, it goes up for SETENA approval; the Municipality gives it a final go-ahead; and finally it is published in La Gaceta. The entire process, said Mr Amador, should take about one year and about $80,000 beyond what they now have. The director said he is confident the funds will be raised. “The most important thing for the Plan Regulador is the zoning,” said Mr Amador. “It will put on the map where you can build and what in Tamarindo.” The idea initially came about as part of a historic three-way agreement, signed in June of 2005 between the Tamarindo Association, the Municipality of Santa Cruz and INVU. At present, one of the biggest issues, aside from funding, is getting developers and community members to agree on terms. Mr Chavarría said they plan to discuss it extensively with the community before a formal airing to avoid any objections that might slow the process. The plan has received criticism by some who say it doesn’t matter what laws are in place if they are not enforced. Sandy May, APMT Vice President, however, said she disagrees: “Everyone’s expecting it to be a cure-all, which I don’t believe at all, but I do believe it will be a piece of paper on the table that people will use as a guideline, if nothing else.” Mr Chavarría is to meet with developers, community members, and the Tamarindo Association December 27 for further discussions. The Beach Times (TBT) By Rachel Cavanaugh Comments (1)
Tamarindo Real Estate
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Great Article. It would be great to have La Nacion reporting on our Plan Regulador progess as well. We need national and international coverage--- "Transparency" in this process to counter the use of underhanded tricks that could be used to forestall the approval, publication and application of the final plan. |
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