People from Prague 4 are suing the city council over the amendment of the zoning plan

Prague - Residents of Prague 4 are suing the Prague City Hall due to the modification of the zoning plan in Braník on the land defined by the streets Ke Krči, Vrbová, and Kunratický potok. The owners of surrounding properties are bothered that the City Hall approved a modification of the zoning plan in 2011, allowing the developer Skanska to build a complex of buildings up to seven stories high. This was discovered by ČTK from the website of the civic association Náš Braník. The City Hall essentially agrees with the residents, but claims it cannot do anything about the issue at this time.
    "The construction of a seven-story housing estate, as the Skanska project called Branické náměstí is intended to be, will undoubtedly decrease the value of properties in the surrounding area. Therefore, the owners of apartments in the neighboring streets have decided to take legal action," the association's website states.
    The modification of the zoning plan was approved by the City Hall in March 2011. This raised the so-called construction coefficient, meaning that buildings up to eight stories high could be built here. Local residents therefore want the decision to be revoked, and the original coefficient allowing buildings of a maximum of four to five stories to be restored in the zoning plan. Such a coefficient applies to other parcels in the vicinity.
    According to the current city leadership, similar modifications will no longer be possible, as a new system of urban planning in Prague is intended to prevent this. The new Prague building regulations and metropolitan plan will more strictly regulate the height and character of new buildings to ensure they are in harmony with existing development and do not degrade the area. For example, in a neighborhood of family houses, constructing a high-rise building will no longer be permitted as it is today.
    Although the city essentially agrees with the residents, the City Hall cannot decide to revert to the original coefficient. At that point, it would face a lawsuit from the developer for damages. If the court finds that the City Hall made a mistake in its 2011 decision, it will have to restore the coefficient to its original form.
    Residents of Prague 4 also claim that the city decided to increase the coefficient without the knowledge of the residents or the main city council. They have already launched a petition against the decision, which will last until April 15.